Foreign Relations of the United States, 1977–1980, Volume II, Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs

346. Memorandum From the Chairman of the Council on Environmental Quality (Speth) to the Members of the Task Force on Global Resources and Environment¹

Washington, September 15, 1980

SUBJECT

• Problem Areas Needing Priority Attention by the Task Force on Global Resources and Environment

You will recall that the President directed the Task Force to report to him as soon as possible with recommendations on problem areas needing priority attention. As you know, we have solicited the views of all affected agencies, of informed people in the Congress, and of thoughtful private citizens on this subject. We have discussed these areas at length with interested Task Force members. The enclosed draft memorandum to the President² represents our considered distillation of views on the subject.

You will note a number of changes from our earlier suggestions, both adding areas thought by agencies to be of significant importance and modifying the scope of others previously identified. In describing these priority areas, we have held extensive discussions with those within the government who can be expected to lead efforts to develop recommendations in the particular areas. In some areas there are existing groups who have agreed to use their organizations and resources to assist us with recommendations (e.g., NSC Working Group on Population; Interagency Task Force on Tropical Forests). In other areas permanent coordinating organizations are being formed which will assist us (e.g., interagency committee cochaired by State and Interior on endangered species). In others, efforts are under way on which we can capitalize (e.g., State’s preparations for 1981 U.N. Conference on New and Renewable Forms of Energy; IDCA’s chairing of government effort to respond to Brandt Commission). In still others we have discussed problem areas with agencies who may be expected to have the lead on an ad hoc basis using their particular expertise (e.g., EPA—toxics and pollution; USDA—food and agriculture; Commerce—conservation of marine resources; WRC and Interior—water supply).

What we have tried to do is to identify the best informed, willing people within the U.S. Government whom we may charge with the task of assembling the best, most responsible recommendations within their areas. In some areas (e.g., population, deforestation) we can anticipate, based on work that has been done so far, fairly comprehensive sets of action recommendations. In others our present lack of knowledge will result in identifying a research agenda. Therefore, the identification of a problem area as one deserving of priority means it is important (and that its absence would create a noticeable gap), but the types of recommendations which ultimately emerge will differ markedly from area to area.

We have limited our listing of problems for the President to substantive areas, each subsumed under the overall resources, environment, and population focus that was the basis of the Global 2000 Report. We have been acutely aware, and the agencies in their submission have made us more aware, of the need to address generic, cross-cutting problems. We intend to address these institutional issues as well and will shortly be in touch with you regarding them. Cross-cutting issues include the government’s data gathering, analysis and forecasting capacity; international institutional mechanisms (including the roles of the existing international organizations and U.S. policy towards them); the promotion and sharing at the international level of scientific research, data, environmental planning expertise and technology; and U.S. institutional capabilities for addressing global problems on a priority basis.

Please contact me not later than Friday, September 19 if you have any suggestions for the proposed memorandum to the President.

Thank you.

1. Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, P800131–1099. No classification marking. Speth was Chairman of the Task Force.
2. Attached but not printed is a draft memorandum in which Speth outlined nine major problem areas needing priority attention. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, P8000131–1101) The final version of the memorandum is printed as Document 347.