Natural Resources, Growth, and Development: Economics, Ecology and Resource-Scarcity

by Clement A. Tisdell

Overview

This volume combines economics and ecology in a penetrating examination of the natural resources and environmental issues arising from economic growth, development, and change. The author focuses particular attention on the environmental consequences of economic change and argues that the management and conservation of biological resources is a requirement for sustainable economic growth. By setting traditional economic issues within their wider environmental context and covering issues not ordinarily addressed by economists, Tisdell offers an important new perspective on the problem of resource scarcity. He examines the two conflicting viewpoints on the magnitude of the problem—those who argue that technological progress will make scarcity of natural resources less important and those who argue that economic growth can only be expected to intensify scarcity—suggesting a reasonable course of action that will allow acceptable levels of economic growth while protecting important natural resources. Tisdell's work will be useful both as a supplementary text for courses in development or environmental economics and as recommended reading in biology, environmental studies, and ecology programs.

Following an introduction which covers basic issues in resource scarcity, along with growth and development, the author addresses the major economic, ethical, and ecological issues involved in the conservation of biological resources. He goes on to examine concepts and changing views of sustainable economic growth, production, and development. Subsequent chapters explore such topics as conservation in less developed countries and the economic pressures that hinder conservation efforts, differing views on depletable resources as limits to growth, rural-urban migration and its effects on labor allocation, and foreign assistance to resource-poor developing countries. A case study of wildlife on New Zealand's Otago Peninsula is particularly useful in illustrating the economics of biological conservation. Throughout, Tisdell concentrates on providing a reasoned, balanced assessment of the impact of economic growth and change on the natural environment that will be an important resource for proponents on both sides of the environment versus development debate.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780275934798
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	09/18/1990
Pages:	200
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.62(d)
Lexile:	1500L (what's this?)

About the Author

CLEMENT A. TISDELL is Professor of Economics at the University of Queensland, Australia and the author of numerous books and articles on economic, development and environmental subjects.

Table of Contents

Preface
Introduction to Resource-Scarcity, Growth and Development
Conserving our Biological Resources: Economics, Ecology and Ethics
Sustainable Economic Growth, Production and Development: Concepts and Changing Views
Conservation in Less Developed Countries: A Matter for Concern Given Economic Pressures and Change
Energy Resources and Depletable Resources as Limits to Growth: Optimists versus Pessimists
Preservation of Species, Crop Varieties and Genetic Diversity
Case Study in the Economics of Biological Conservation: Yellow-eyed Penguins and Wildlife on the Otago Peninsula
Biological Control of Pests and Sustainable Development
Rural-Urban Migration, Population and Labor Allocation: Labor Surplus Models and Alternatives
Foreign Assistance to Resource-poor Developing Countries: Aid versus International Migration
Concluding Assessment of Resource Issues
Bibliography
Index