This is the first in a new series of publications arlslng out of the work of the Committee on Challenges of Modern Society of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. The CCMS was established in 1969 with a mandate to examine practical ways of improving the exchange of experience among mem ber nations of the Alliance in the task of creating a better envir onment for their societies. It was charged with considering "spe cific problems of the human environment with the deliberate objec tive of stimulating action by member governments". It may come as a surprise to some that NATO - generally thought of as being an organization devoted solely to matters of defence - should concern itself with the environment at all. But this is to overlook Article 2 of the North Atlantic Treaty of 1949, which expressly provides that member count ries should contribute towards the furt her development of peaceful and friendly internat ional relations by promoting conditions of stability and well being. This concern is reflected in many non-military areas, in addition to the environmental one. I wish the present volume, which has been edited by the Bel gian Prime Minister''s Office for Science Policy Programming, every success.
