NOTWITHSTANDING our current international preoccupation with adventures in space, the environment requiring man's primary attention is the earth and its atmosphere. The land on which he builds and the soil which produces his food are no less important than when earthly time began. Water and air are still essential throughout every moment of life. The total moisture and the total air have remained unchanged since earth was formed. The quantities of water descending on and flowing in our river basins have be-en substantially constant since the last glacial period, and yet we now hear of shortages. These, then, are not inherent, but manmade. Fortunately, the changes in our environment have come not from great external forces but from man's own activities. I say "fortunately," because this places the changes within his control if he gains the necessary knowledge and exercises the necessary wisdom.