A comprehensive, international program is proposed to help nations optimize and conserve natural resources. The aim of the program is to increase the overall supply of natural resources available to improve the chances for world peace. The energy and material resources of the world are finite. We must live with and adapt to the concept of finite resources distributed inequitably around the globe. Given these limitations and given the growing demands of the developing and developed nations for energy and material resources, it has become increasingly evident that the availability of and accessibility to resources are crucial factors in determining the harmony, or lack of it, among nations of the world. Middle Eastern domination of oil supplies, Central African domination of cobalt and precious metals, and Southern African domination of cobalt, chromium, and precious metals are three leading examples of limited resource availability that have created sizable tensions and political frictions. This situation is made more serious by strong inflationary pressures, the growing inequity of incomes, and the growing use of resources as political weapons. In discussing conservation as a force for peace, the author recommends three basic resource optimization strategies. We should make and use fewer resource products; make and use simpler, more efficient alternative processes and products; and recycle the raw material and energy content of waste resource products. Efforts at resource optimization to date are examined. (RM)