Integration of the ecological factors in the planning of economic development

Abstract

Ecology creates on increasing interest among the public. A cry of alarm from nature friends and biologists, anti-pollution campaigns, first popular attitudes of consciousness and so on. Starting with the belief that ecology, mainly human ecology, is «a work or a processus of synthesis, since both in ideas and facts the contemporary ecological totality demands the simultaneous consideration of all its aspects and the collaboration of different scientific disciplines», the author analyses, in this text, the several issues which in his «integrated, dynamic and humanist» perspective may introduce a debate on such an issue. This: a) The conflict between economy and ecology would largely be summed up into a problem of overexploitation. The dilemma is serious: to abolish technique would be a crime but to keep it in the present state would lead to collective suicide. The only solution will be a new mentality, ecologically rooted, integrating the two components. b) In the long term, the interest of ecology and economy will be convergent and there will only be a contradiction between the two if we compare profits in a short term with welfare in a long term. c) Man's social and economic atmosphere is a delicate and complex system in equilibrium. When this equilibrium is disturbed the effects may
be irreversible. d) The analysis of impacts is the most correct instrument we can have to rate nowadays the potential effects of sectorial policies and projects, as well as the actions of private enterprises upon the environment. e) Thus the planning system
should take this issues and consider a perspective of long term development with the large participation of people.