Many current environmental issues are viewed as conflicts between the environment and the economy. Therefore, economists are often viewed as being opposed to environmental conservation and supportive of development. In this lecture several myths about economics and the environment are reviewed. In reviewing these myths, realities about what environmental economics can offer for decision-makers are also discussed. Some case studies of how economic tools and methods have been used to address environmental problems, by integrating the environmental systems with the economic system, will also be outlined.
Environmental problems are human problems.
Through tools that signal environmental scarcities and result in changes in human behaviour these problems can be solved. Economics, as one of the social sciences, should help lead the way in the development of these tools. Each year 5 million visitors come to enjoy the scenery, the wildlife and experience the Canadian west. Each year for the last 45 years, more people want to visit, want to build a business there, want to live in the town, and or be employed there. The turn of the Century is a time of reevaluation of where we've come from, where we are now and where we project ourselves to be through the next century.