Ecological and Economic Issues (EEIs)

There is overwhelming evidence that the resources of the planet are being annihilated, plundered and disturbed. Goldsmith E (2005. Such phenomenon led to growing concern and consensus, even among conventional economics that the conditions of the natural world, long regarded as abundant and available to be raided, are becoming scarce Bron swimmer, F (2002). Green economics argue that conventional economics has provided no analytical framework to counter or even address problems such as climate change, deforestation, ocean surge(tsunamis), pollution, erosion, desertification, and depletion of biodiversity. Besides, our ‘civilization’ and globalised neo-Classical economic activities are vulnerable economically to such effects, which include increased intensity and severity of cyclones, hurricanes, typhoons, floods, tsunamis, and heat waves etc. This thematic area ensures that green economics re-embeds the economy firmly within the ecological and social structures. It de-commodifies society and nature. Here the rinciple that the needs of the people and natural system must be addressed simultaneously and the purpose of products are to achieve needs and not to enhance the economic power of people, or corporations or states. Here also localization thesis refocuses the global economy around local markets. Global industrialization is regarded here with suspicion, as gigantism and globalization seen as an agent of oppression, Dobson, A (2000). In summary topical issues to be discussed here include but not limited to the following: limits of growth, ecology and nature, appropriate size and scale of production, management of consumption downwards-reuse, reduce, recycle, repairs, and transparency of the supply chain. Population issues will also be engaged here as well. The research goals and actions agenda under EEIs which will inform policy and be the platform for the development of sustainable business models especially within the West African sub-region include but not limited to the following: