Environment and the economy

CIM Bulletin, Vol. 84, No. 952, 1991

Scott Hean, Bank of Montreal, Vancouver, British Columbia

Environment and the economy are interwoven irrevocably. They need to be publicly discussed, and discussed often so that new approaches can be understood and developed — approaches which are complimentary, not confrontational. Discussion on the environment is timely, from the perspective of mining engineers and developers, from that of bankers and from their shared perspective as people concerned with enhancing the quality of life, the environment and the economy. This paper will touch on how what is called the "environmental economy" that has evolved has become entangled with regulatory and financial issues in a way that is dangerous for all of us. It will also look at some of the promising possibilities that a world-wide and continuing concern for the environment holds out for us.

Keywords: Environment, Economy, Environmental economy.