Environmental Death or Economic Life

The dilemma of economic growth versus environmental concerns is something that all economies grapple with and will continue to do so for a very long time. As inhabitants of this planet, the populace constantly interact with the environment and as a result, the environment constantly changes. According to Professor John Sloman (2000); who has been the Head of the School of Economics at the University of West England for a number of years and who currently holds the position of Director of the Economics Network which provides publications, events and other resources to support university teachers worldwide;
Scarcely a day goes by without some or other environmental issue featuring in the news. Another warning about global warming, a company fined for illegally dumping waste, a drought or a flood blamed on pollution, a health care about car exhausts, smog in tropical countries caused by forest fires: these are typical environmental issues that we are constantly hearing about. (p. 327)
These environmental issues address a number of concerns that affect the pattern of growth for an economy. If one is to ask almost anyone whether or not they would like a cleaner environment, the answer would be yes. However, if asked whether taxpayers or other consumers should pay for these improvements, there would be varying responses and differing controversial views. Likewise, if asked about the major problems faced by any individual country, the economy always top the list while environmental concerns seldom break the top five issues that may be mentioned. “The truth of course is that most of us care more about our standard of living than we do about the health of some species we seldom if ever see.” (Church, 1992, para. 1). It can also be said that most persons are more concerned with their own welfare than that of persons who will live three or four years after them. It is with these and many other varying controversies and issues, that the study of economic growth and

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