Worldwatch report: Environmental movement losing steam

Gains made over the last 10 years in environmental policy are losing ground, according to the 2001 edition of the Worldwatch Institute's annual report

January 15, 2001
Web posted at: 3:34 PM EST (2034 GMT)

From David George
CNN Science Correspondent

(CNN) -- The failure of the world climate conference held in the Hague last November drew scant attention in American media, partly because it had to share the spotlight with the chad-obsessed aftermath of the U.S. presidential election.

But in its 18th annual report on the state of the world's environment, the Worldwatch Institute sees signs that gains made during a decade of environmental progress are beginning to unravel.

The "State of the world 2001" report focuses on how the global economy affects natural systems.

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"At a time of acceleration of environmental problems around the world, there's a loss of political momentum that was seen in the collapse of the climate talks in the Hague," said Christopher Flavin of the Worldwatch Institute.

Flavin worries that the incoming U.S. presidential administration -- with its ties to oil and other big industries -- might further contribute to a global slowdown on environmental issues.

But one bright sign, according to Worldwatch, can be found outside of the United States. Membership in grass roots environmental organizations, especially in developing countries, is on the rise.

"And ultimately that's what's needed to put pressure on government, to put pressure on industry, to move things forward," Flavin said.

Grassroots organizations in developing countries are starting to make more progress in environmental policy

But some critics of the environmental movement charge that the Worldwatch Institute and other organizations rely too heavily on government to solve environmental problems.

"The real solution for any environmental problem is to let markets work and not interfere with markets," said H. Sterling Burnett of the National Center for Policy Analysis. "Let people choose what problems to solve. Let the market decide through peoples' choices what technologies are going to work in what regions."

In its report, the Worldwatch Institute counters that both the private sector and the government are essential if the search for environmental solutions is to ultimately succeed.

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The Worldwatch Institute
National Center for Policy Analysis

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