The United Nations Conference on the Protection of the Environment, 'We have only one World' (Stockholm, 1972), was the occasion for publicly expressing the growing preoccupation with the overall management of the planet. The conference saw the adoption of the principles of ecodevelopment, forerunner of the current concept of sustainable development, which proved ephemeral because of the economic consequences of the subsequent oil crises. According to this new principle, it was recognised that it was not only necessary but also possible to design and implement socio-economic development strategies which are equitable and respectful of the environment. This was a positive response to the Malthusian conclusions of the report of the Club of Rome ('Limits to Growth', 1972), the publication of which understandably alarmed the governments of developing countries (1).