The Editorial in the April 30, 2004 issue of the journal Science reports how scientists at the State of the Planet in 2004 conference (www.earth.columbia.edu/sop2004) foresee that science and technology offer options for the future that combine economic well-being and environmental sustainability. Jeffrey D. Sachs, director of the Earth Institute at Columbia University and Special Advisor to the United Nations Secretary-General on the Millenium Development Goals, noted in the Editorial that “food productivity can be bolstered through improved soil management and agrobiotechnology…” Sachs cautioned that there was no technological utopianism at the conference. He said developing and mobilizing the needed science and technology will require long lead times, public funding for research and development and improved systems of global governance.