Six major reports have recently assessed the state of the world in terms of energy, food, population, natural resources, pollution, and economic development. These reports include: (1) "The Global 2000 Report to the President: Entering the Twenty-First Century"; (2) "Global Future: Time to Act"; (3) "World Conservation Strategy: Living Resource Conservation for Development"; (4) "Interfutures: Facing the Future"; (5) "North-South: A Programme for Survival"; and (6) "World Development Report." Findings and recommendations of these reports serve as the basis for the summary of selected environmental prospects. Although the findings/recommendations are not identical, with differences of focus and emphasis, all conclude that there are serious problems ahead environmentally and economically, and while solvable, they will require more and better planning. Areas addressed include: population (migration, international migration); energy resources (demand/supply, fuelwood, transition from oil-based systems); mineral resources (mineral reserves, distribution of minerals); food (food production, ecological considerations, fisheries, food prospects); and future prospects. Also included are excerpts from books by Herman Kahn and Julian Simon (who see difficult times ahead economically/environmentally), followed by commentaries of demographers or economists. (JN)