Bücher von Edward B. (University of Wyoming) Barbier

Throughout much of history, a critical driving force behind global economic development has been the response of society to the scarcity of key natural resources. This book provides a fascinating account of the contribution that natural resource exploitation has made to economic development in key eras of world history.

A major report commissioned by the United Nations Environment Programme charts the way for world policy-makers to forge economic policies that are effective not only in reviving growth and creating jobs but also in protecting the environment and alleviating poverty.

Throughout our history we have tended to view ecosystems as limitless, abundant and always available for our use, exploitation and conversion. This book shows how modeling ecosystems as natural capital can help us to analyze the economic behavior that has led to the overuse of so much ecological wealth.

Natural Resources and Economic Development, first published in 2005, was the first comprehensive analysis of natural resource use and economic development in poor countries. It explores the reasons why natural resource exploitation is not yielding greater benefits to the economies of Africa, Asia and Latin America, and proposes institutional and policy reforms.