Although many of these same countries have supported agreements to reduce damaging emissions and to protect the environment, they permit or even participate in the abuse and exploitation of their own environment. They often do so not only because of the financial rewards, but also because many aspects of free trade agreements would prevent them from implementing appropriate measures. Such help is almost always offered on conditions that either favour the economy of the helping country or the economic theories of such international bodies as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. In the process they come into conflict with other international instruments that are designed to protect sovereignty, the environment, and various rights of individuals. All such situations inevitably produce conflict.
Conflict is a fact of life.
It may be caused in many different ways in many different situations. One of these possible causes has been explored above. When conflict does occur it can be dealt with in many different ways. At one extreme it may be peacefully resolved by recourse to arbitration, compromise, diplomacy, or judicial procedures. At the other extreme it may lead to genocide, gross violations of human rights, massacres, violence, or war.