As concerned citizens move toward the twenty first century, one of our major challenges is to find a new perspective that will help us to develop further ways of living and working in concert with nature. The reconciliation of environmental protection a nd economic development is essential to our survival.

Current conditions include an economic recession and cutbacks in the state budget and in the defense industry. This has led to the adoption of a state income tax, increased emphasis on economic development and a reduction in the funding available for th e Department of Environmental Protection. The average individual is far more concerned about next week's paycheck than about the quality of the air and water in the next decade.

However, viewing these conditions from a slightly different perspective, we see that there will be increased markets for environmental goods and services, since the market reflects the world's problems and needs. Obviously we need to clean up polluted a ir and water; reclaim contaminated soil; recycle paper, plastics and metals; convert other trash to energy; and to accomplish a host of other goals. Connecticut is well positioned to seize the opportunities presented in this situation and to apply its Ya nkee ingenuity to the solution of the world's environmental problems, thus also contributing to the solution of our economic woes.

Environmental concerns are increasingly recognized as global in nature. Climate change, holes in the ozone layer, the destruction of rain forests, and the growing disparity of wealth are all international in scope. These issues were highlighted at the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro when phases, such as "sustainable development" became a permanent part of our vocabulary. "Sustainable development" refers to the reconciliation of economic development and environmental protection on a world wide basi s. Methods, tools, and skills must be developed to permit third world countries to share in the fruits of industrialization without destroying the environment in the process. Connecticut should play a major role in these efforts.

In much of the world, the human population already exceeds the capacity of the local ecosystem. This becomes shockingly apparent in frequent dramatic news reports of widespread famine. We should not feel removed from this picture. Individuals born in the United States will consume many times the energy and resources of their counter parts born in less developed areas of the world. Environmental problems, however, have a disproportionate impact on the poor, whether they are searching for food in Somal ia or contracting lead poisoning in an American city.

There are many indications of changing attitudes and approaches to environmental concerns. These include moves toward replacing the command and control system of regulation with a market-based system of incentives; expansion of the concept of pollution prevention -- modifying processes to eliminate pollution rather than cleaning up after the fact; increasing use of biotechnology to solve contamination problems; increased development of new forms of energy production and storage; expanded collaborative e ffort in dispute resolution; and experimentation with new forms of accounting to provide for clearer identification of environmental risk factors.

Action is taking place and Connecticut can and should remain in the forefront of the environmental movement. As we contemplate our universal, environmental problems, we must recognize that most of the solutions require a local base. Instant worldwide r esponse to a particular problem is a nearly impossible dream but local, state or national efforts can expand to produce an international solution.

Many of the actions proposed in the following plan may seem small when viewed from a worldwide perspective. Without these steps, however, little progress can be made in solving major problems. The Environment/2000 Plan is a blueprint for actions by Con necticut agencies, private organizations and individuals. Hopefully, it can serve as a model for the rest of the nation and eventually the world.