Natural Resource Management: Challenges and Policy Options

Much of the improvement in living standards in developed and developing countries is attributable to the exploitation of nonrenewable and renewable resources. The problem is to know when the exploitation occurs at rates and with technologies that are sustainable. If the technologies used are not sustainable, resource exploitation presents a serious problem for the future because welfare will decrease. A long-term management perspective is needed to avoid irreversible degradation of renewable resources. This article examines major challenges to natural resource management as well as policy options.