In recent years there has been a growing recognition of mankind's activities affecting the future environmental health of our planet. Because of the complexity of the issues and the uncertainty of the consequences of various courses of action, however, many of these potential environmental crises for civilization unfortunately are being neglected. Though it is not yet a critical problem today, we know that the space-faring nations are introducing man-made debris (extending in size from dust particles to rocket casings) in ever increasing quantities into the space around Earth. Within the next decade or two the almost exponential increases in the amounts of these materials will present serious hazards for the survival of spacecraft, space stations and astronaughts occupying near-Earth orbits. Radiation from radioactive materials and particles will gradually close important windows for astronomical observations. In contrast with the efforts to solve some of our environmental problems which benefit some nations but not others (e.g., reduction in use of fossil fuels), in the case of the preservation of space all nations are beneficiaries of a solution – there will be no loser nations now or in the future, whether or not they are active in space. This factor will be important in negotiating any international agreement for the control of orbital debris. At a time when all nations perceive that preservation of space is in their own best interest, it is important for those most concerned – those nations with active space programs – to take steps toward an international agreement.