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Discusses the pilot program being run in Switzerland's Basel region to demonstrate vehicles that run on natural gas, as a bridge to renewable power sources like hydrogen. Percentage of sulfur dioxides, carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons and nitrous oxides that automobiles contribute to the air in urban areas; High average incomes coupled with top-rated environmental performance seen in Switzerland, whereas in the United States higher income is associated with higher stress on the environment; High level of environmental awareness shown by residents of the Basel region, where 44% of households do not own a car; Use of Basel as a long-term field test of the impact of technology on sustainable development in a developed economy. INSETS: SWITZERLAND: AN EXAMPLE OF ENVIRONMENTALLY COMPATIBLE DEVELOPMENT;A CHEMICAL ACCIDENT CONTRIBUTES TO HIGH ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS;LISTENING TO CITIZENS' VIEWS IN THE PILOT REGIONS OF BASEL;NOVATLANTIS STUDIES THE "VALUE CHAIN" OF MORE SUSTAINABLE CAR USE

Focuses on integrated assessment of sustainable development. Overview of pre-conditions for integrated assessment; Comparison of integrated assessment and interdisciplinary research; Need to develop techniques that combine scientific assessment tools with public participation methods; Appraisal of issues related to the sustainability.