In 1992, over 1,500 members of science academies, representing 69 nations, signed the World Scientists' Warning to Humanity. The full list includes signatures from a majority of the Nobel Science laureates. Their detailed description of humanity’s environmental problems is summarized in the following plea:

"We the undersigned, senior members of the world's scientific community, hereby warn all humanity of what lies ahead. A great change in our stewardship of the earth and the life on it, is required, if vast human misery is to be avoided and our global home on this planet is not to be irretrievably mutilated."

     Our collective consumption, disposal, and pollution patterns leave each generation facing greater ecological challenges. Many scientists believe that we are approaching or have already exceeded the Earth’s carrying capacity, or long-term ability to sustain human life.
     As members of the global economy, we can turn the tide and shift our course toward one of balance. The Green Restaurant Association℠’s mission is to shift one of the Earth’s most environmentally impacting industries toward achieving ecological sustainability. With a creative blend of consulting, education, marketing, research, and consumer organizing, The Green Restaurant Association℠ makes it convenient for the industry and its consumers to proceed through our Environmental Guidelines.
     Americans spend over half their food budget dining at over 850,000 restaurants. In this book, you will learn about the “ecological footprint” that we are having and ways to reduce our impact. This information will help us all to reduce this footprint to a size with which we can walk in balance on this Earth now and for future generations.