Conference paper
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT: A GAP BETWEEN GLOBALIZATION AND ETHICS
Velimir Pravdić
; Ruđer Bošković Institute, Zagreb
Abstract
This paper is a discussion of trade globalisation and environment protection. The advocate of globalisation is the World Trade Organisation (WTO). Environmental economists strive to monetarise the values of the environment and its resources. To no avail. The proponents of free markets are neglecting real values of the environment because it escapes monetary valuation. Protection of the environment is based in limitations. WTO considers any limitations as contradicting the ideals of free markets.
Protection of the environment is considered as being taken care of in one of the many theories of environmental management. However, no one is adequate for the conservation of natural resources. Indeed, there is no contemporary theory of management that can bridge the contradictions of between globalisation and the of limitations involved in environmental protection.
Environmental ethicists are involved in discourses on anthopocentrism, non–anthropocentrism, biocentrism and ecocentrism. Only a strong anthropocentrism is the ethical basis of trade globalisation. However, strong anthropocentrism is missing the support of the three pillars of environmental ethics: of democracy, science and religion.
A conclusion is reached that there are no bridges between globalisation and environmental protection, and that the prospects for overcoming the differences are small.
Keywords
economic globalization; environmental protection; ethics; theories of environmental management; World Trade Organization (WTO)
Hrčak ID:
141720
URI
Publication date:
15.1.2000.
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