This is a podcast from the archives of the BBC Ruth Lectures. This lecture in the series

Bursting at the Seams, given by Geoffrey Sacks, was originally broadcast in 2007.

Hello and welcome to New York for the third in this series of Reith lectures. We're at the Earth

Institute at Columbia University, whose director is this year's

Reith lecturer, Jeffrey Sachs.

The Earth Institute was set up to analyze, investigate, and most importantly, try to find

solutions to the environmental and economic problems facing the world today.

In his first lecture, Professor Sachs set out his argument that through international cooperation, the world today. In his first lecture, Professor Sacks set out his argument

that through international cooperation,

the world can rid itself of disease, poverty and pollution.

Last week in China, he explained the role that it,

the world's most rapidly developing economy,

needs to play in this process.

Tonight, on his home territory, he'll talk about the United States, a country at the zenith

of its economic power, facing colossal changes as the emerging nations of Asia seek to take

their turn on the world stage.

What must America do?

How should it behave? Here to discuss

these questions is an audience of politicians, academic students, and if there is such a thing,

ordinary New Yorkers. But first, ladies and gentlemen, please will you welcome the BBC's

Reith Lecturer 2007, Jeffrey Sachs.

Thank you very much.

...