Meeting the Challenge

By the end of the next century, however, the earth may well be home to 10 billion human beings. One of the most pressing questions is, "Will there be enough food?". Many scientists answer an uneasy "yes" because we have used our grasslands without regard for the future. There is available technology to feed our growing human population while imposing minimal impact on natural systems. The challenges are to educate and to convince the world's societies to use it, not just for us but for Earth's other inhabitants as well.

Take Action

The first place to start is in your own backyard and/or your schoolyard!

• Follow your local water district's watering schedule for outdoor usage and landscape your yard with drought-resistant plants.
• Plant native vegetation in your yard to provide a habitat for native wildlife. Contact the National Wildlife Federation for information about their Backyard Habitat Program.
• Leave grass clippings on the ground to hold in moisture and replace nutrients as they decompose.
• Choose pesticides and fertilizers with great care. Many chemicals are highly toxic to wild flora and fauna that may be affected by rainwater runoff.
• Support a conservation group of your choice. Some organizations, such as the Nature Conservancy, purchase habitat to preserve it.