ABSTRACT
Economic activity lies behind much of the world's environmental problems. In rural areas of some developing countries people still have 'subsistence economy' lifestyles, which involve little use of money and yet cause land degradation; environmental managers still have to account for resource demands and various trade-offs between stakeholders. Since the 1980s it has increasingly been accepted that economic growth does not have to be at the expense of the environment. In a world where money is usually the key to achieving things, the role of business in environmental management is important. Environmental controls are still often seen by business and some politicians as 'green tape', slowing development and raising costs. But the market alone is unlikely to deliver a less-degraded environment, although business could play an increasingly green role. The developments of media which reach across national borders, especially the Internet and satellite TV, have helped to support this globalisation trend.
