If the world continues to accept disappearing tree - cover, land degradation, the expansion of deserts, the loss of plant and animal species, air and water pollution, and the changing chemistry of the atmosphere it will also have to
accept economic decline and social disintegration... such disintegration would bring human suffering on a scale that has no precedent...» 7
The town has been hit hard by the
economic decline of recent years, and the two consummate sales executives see McKinley's citizens as likely to
accept their company's offer - for drilling rights to their properties - as much - needed relief.