ABSTRACT

Environmental practitioners don’t necessarily have to be economists, but they should have a basic understanding of various economic principles. This makes sense when we consider that most environmental decisions are based on economic considerations-a situation that is unlikely to change in the years ahead. Moreover, it is also important to consider that maintaining or sustaining our environment along with preventing environmental harm and correcting harmful situations cannot be achieved without incurring some cost. Unfortunately, even the most conscientious environmental practitioner often forgets or overlooks the financial implications when designing measures to minimize environmental impact or when formulating corrective actions for mitigation; unfortunately, by doing so, the plan may not get funded or may be underfunded.