ABSTRACT
It can be assumed that the environmental problems so often cited do not refer to problems just between people and the environment, but much more to those between members of a social system who have an impact on the environment. Ecology-oriented behaviour is always social behaviour, because ecological resources are a common good, that is, they are meant for the use and the enjoyment of all. Each time a common resource is used its condition, and hence the possibility for others to use it, is altered. Similarly, environmental problems arise in connection with a social conflict of interests: every individual is interested in getting maximum use from a resource, while the diminished usefulness or damage thus incurred must be borne by all (cf. Spada and Opwis 1985).
