Human demands are beginning to outgrow the capacity of the Earth's natural systems. By 1989, all oceanic fisheries were being fished at or beyond capacity. In every country in Africa, range-land is being degraded by overgrazing. Underground water tables are now falling in the southwestern United States and Great Plains, in several states in India, in much of northern China, across northern Africa, in southern Europe, and throughout the Middle East. The wholesale deforestation of Southeast Asia to supply lumber to Europe and Northeast Asia is now spreading into Africa and the Amazon basin.
Soil erosion is excessive, and there are signs of climate change.
All of these changes work to make it more difficult to expand the food supply. Growth in the world grain harvest is slowing. Clearly catastrophe looms ahead unless major changes are made in a short period of time. Fortunately, human beings are capable of changing their behavior and values, which are then reflected in national and international priorities. These numbers, set by The Society of Plastics Industry, range from 1 - 7 with each number categorizing a different resin type used in making a specific plastic.