This monograph stresses the need for environmental protection and identifies principles for a global policy to preserve the world's oceans. It is hypothesized that unbridled technological development pollutes the environment, and particularly oceans, to such a degree that it threatens the future of mankind. Factors identified as being largely responsible for current water pollution include rapid technological development, insufficient understanding of non-renewable resources, use of the ocean as a dumping ground for toxic substances, failure to take adequate precautions against oil spills, and over zealous fishing. These and similar problems can be solved if nations realize the importance of an uncontaminated earth and develop policies to work toward the goal of environmental protection. For example, a global ocean policy would help eliminate pollution if it mandated protective regulations for fresh water systems and polar areas as well as oceans, use of ocean resources without depletion, dissemination of knowledge about water systems, rules for safety of marine transportation, and a permanent ocean authority. The conclusion is that environmental risks should not be undertaken if they threaten human survival and/or involve irreversable damage to the environment. (DB)