THE ISSUES:

• There is now a broad consensus, despite scientific differences, that the world needs to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

• Even if the planet didn't depend on it, breaking addictions to oil and coal would also reduce global reliance and vulnerability to energy-price spikes.

• Global warming has driven the search for alternative fuels to replace coal and oil. Biofuels, solar, and nuclear and other solutions are all on the table and need to be explored.

• There are major financial, political, and technical pressures as well as time constraints involved.

• A need exists to independently search through the maze of information available to arrive at intelligent solutions.

• The impact of these decisions is profound, extending from the national level directly down to the individual concerns of every citizen and landowner in the word.

• This show will create a forum for people to participate in the discussion without fear of bureaucratic or special interest pressure.

• Solutions require coordinated planning in the development of communities and their business, residential and recreational components. There are literally thousands of models that must be studied and carefully analyzed.

• Developing new or improved theories, policy and methods for landscape planning, design and management at local, regional, national and multi-national levels is crucial.

• Monitoring proposals are needed for conservation and recreation areas along with new or improved theories and methods to promote environmental awareness and planning, design and restoration of landscapes, in urban, suburban, and rural areas including private and public open spaces, parks, gardens, street scapes, plazas, housing developments, burial grounds, memorials; tourist, commercial, industrial and educational complexes; sports grounds, zoos, botanic gardens, recreation areas and farms.

• Many elements are involved, such as roads, dams, wind farms and other energy and major development projects.

• Other factors need analysis, such as climate, soil, flora, fauna, surface and subsurface water and drainage.

• Coordination of engineers, architects and planners is needed as expert witnesses in Development and Environment Courts.

• Planners tend to fall into two interest groups; one wants unrestricted growth, the other no-growth. GIS mapping technology affords new opportunities for intelligent planning on a continent that will have a population of close to 1 billion by the next turn of the century.

• Right now 50% of the population lives within 50 miles of the ocean coasts and the Great Lakes. We have a unique chance, if we act now, to carefully organize and plan for our future living spaces.

• The time has come to act. Earth-Watch TV will provide the vehicle to begin the process in an coherent and responsible manner