Addressed to the chiefs of state and governments
Heidelberg, April 14, 1992
"We want to make our full contribution to the preservation of our common heritage, the Earth.
"We are, however, worried at the dawn of the twenty-first century, at the emergence of an
irrational ideology which is
opposed to scientific and industrial
progress and
impedes economic and social
development.
"We contend that a Natural State, sometimes idealized by movements with a tendency to look towards the past, does not exist and has probably never existed since man's first appearance in the biosphere, insofar as humanity has always progressed by increasingly harnessing Nature to its needs and not the reverse.
"We fully subscribe to the objectives of a scientific ecology for a universe whose resources must be taken stock of, monitored and preserved. But we herewith demand that this stock-taking, monitoring and preservation be founded on scientific criteria and
not on
irrational pre-conceptions.
"We stress that many essential human activities are carried out either by manipulating hazardous substances or in their proximity, and that progress and development have always involved increasing control over hostile forces, to the benefit of mankind. We therefore consider that scientific ecology is no more than an extension of this continual progress toward the improved life of future generations. We intend to assert science's responsibility and duty towards society as a whole. We do however forewarn the authorities in charge of our planet's destiny against
decisions which are
supported by
pseudo-scientific arguments or
false and
non-relevant data.
"We draw everybody's attention to the absolute
necessity of
helping poor countries attain a level of
sustainable development which matches that of the rest of the planet, protecting them from troubles and dangers stemming from developed nations, and avoiding their entanglement in a web of
unrealistic obligations which would compromise both their independence and their dignity.
"
The greatest evils which stalk our Earth are ignorance and oppression, and not Science, Technology and Industry whose instruments, when adequately managed, are indispensable tools of a future shaped by Humanity, by itself and for itself, overcoming major problems like overpopulation, starvation and worldwide diseases."[