The Battle to Save

It was a dream of environmentalists finally transformed into grand reality. After two years of painstaking preparations, the Earth Summit got under way in Rio de Janeiro with a global guest list of more than 100 world leaders and 30,000 other people concerned about the planet, from climatologists to tribal chieftains. The get-together's size is matched only by its ambition: to put civilization on a path that will sustain economic development without destroying the environment that supports all life. Canadian Maurice Strong, who organized the United Nations-sponsored meeting, set the tone of urgency: "We are either going to save the whole world, or none of it."

Most delegates felt that the treaties to be signed were not strong enough, and they blamed the U.S. In presummit meetings, American negotiators -- fearful that the proposed agreements could hurt U.S. economic interests -- insisted that the treaty to combat climate change be weakened, and the White House is refusing to sign the pact to protect endangered plants and animals. But most other nations came ready for action. India, often a holdout in environmental negotiations, agreed to the climate-change treaty, and three countries -- Austria, Switzerland and the Netherlands -- pushed for tougher curbs on the gases that may cause global warming.

Anger at the U.S. did not overwhelm the feeling of elation that the summit was taking place. "This event is focusing world attention back on the environment as the most important issue of our time," said Russell Mittermeier, president of the Washington-based Conservation International. Activists see the summit not as the climax of their crusade but only the beginning. (See related story on page 35.)