ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses threaten the biosphere and future generations. The biosphere, the habitat of all known life, is increasingly threatened by the cumulative activities of ever more humans. The tens of thousands of nuclear warheads deployed around the world and the hundreds of thousands of troops trained to use them make a catastrophe due to equipment failure, human error or unauthorized firing disturbingly possible. The chapter deals with plant, animal and human life, agriculture, the air, water, land, sun and energy and call for expertise in both the physical and social sciences and enlightenment by the humanities. The massive application of chemical poisons and fertilizers, which has increased production, has harmed other parts of the biosphere and has consumed huge quantities of rapidly depleting oil. Universities can spark a renaissance of learning about the biosphere and a commitment toward goals beyond oneself.
