Economic globalization and the environment

Abstract

As the world's economies become more integrated and the global economy subsequently grows, there is increasing concern regarding how such trends will affect the environment. In fact, the relationship between globalization and the environment has become quite contentious in policy circles. In part in response to these controversies, a burgeoning amount of academic attention has emerged that examines the globalization/environment nexus. Although there have been advances in the thinking about these relationships, significant challenges remain. This article provides a critical taxonomy that will help scholars better understand the overwhelming literature on the subject and also outlines the key challenges that scholars and policy makers will face for a second wave of thinking on the subject. Copyright © 2009 by Annual Reviews.