Conservation vs Development
This remains one of the primary conflicts played out across the globe as the paradigms of globalisation and sustainable development go head-to-head. The former is largely about the drive by TNCs to expand their reach globally and so increase their profits. Their (TNCs) view of conservation law and policy is that it is a impediment to the workings of the 'free market' and a form of protectionism. Indeed such laws, regulations and policy have been challenged by such interests through the World Trade Organisation (WTO).
For example it was just several years ago that the European Union had to open itself up to GM crops after several years of resistance proved fruitless against a determined US-based TNC lobby via the WTO. The WTO ruled that the "...EU moratorium on GM food crops, in place from 1998 to 2004, was about protectionism, not science." One might argue the EU was adhering to the precautionary principle rather than taking an unknown risk with the environment.
If the EU is not able to face up to the powers of globalisation what chance has the developing world?
Powerful forces are pushing for development across the globe and the conservation movement is struggling to maintain its ground. The consequences for the planet will likely be severe, yet the shareholders, boards and CEOs of TNCs appear to have little interest in the long term survival or sustainability of the planets resources.
Image by Murtaza Mahmud from Flickr. Used under Creative Commons Attribution licence'safsdfsf