30
S.M. Wells . R. Rochert
preserving biodiversity. Typically, there are few concerns by industry for non-binding
principles, as in the case of the trilateral Wadden Sea management framework, if economic gains or political pressures are sufficiently high that they can be ignored. However, under the world ethic for living sustainably, industry itself should aim to avoid
using protected areas for construction work, should seek technical alternatives, and
should not take advantage of situations where legislation is weak or enforcement is
poor. In the case of pipelines, alternative routes should be a serious option, even if more
expensive. Furthermore, the ethic recognises that with rights go responsibilities, and
that everyone (governments, industry and individuals) must take responsibility for resolving such conflicts, and helping to maintain protected areas for the purposes for
which they were designed. A greater 'respect for nature' would mean the recognition
that certain areas should remain UDviolated on principle, for their beauty, uniqueness
and ecological integrity.
4.6
Conclusion
Current trends in conservation and management of the natural environment have been
to emphasise the role of sustainable human use and development. This is essential in
many cases, where human survival and quality oflife is dependent on natural resources.
However, there are strong arguments for ensuring that nature conservation takes precedence over economic interests in protected areas. Industry should respect these and,
on ethical grounds alone, avoid using protected areas for large-scale constructions.
WWF's view is that both governments and industry must take greater responsibility for
enforcing protected area systems and maintaining them in an unviolated state. Once
one form of incursion such as Europipe has occurred and been sanctioned, subsequent
'abuses' are much easier, and the original objectives of the protected area will be progressively eroded. There are few human activities which in the long-term carry no risk,
and the application of the precautionary principle, a central tenet for sustainable resource management, is a high priority in the management of protected areas.
In addition to the ethical argument that some natural areas should be set aside as
pristine areas to maintain their ecological integrity for future generations, there are
also scientific arguments. Firstly, large-scale constructions by their very nature may
ultimately have a negative impact on that environment, and, secondly, there is a need
for truly pristine areas as reference sites for the future. Governments must improve
enforcement of their protected area systems and meet their international obligations
in this regard. There must be greater political commitment to ethical principles and a
willingness to support these beliefs with appropriate legislation.
As pristine coastal habitat and unpolluted and unfished marine waters become increasingly restricted in size, and the competing interests of industry and development
intrude even more, the question of how 'protected' the world's protected areas are will
become increasingly urgent.
Acknowledgements. We are very grateful to Hans-Ulrich Rosner and to other colleagues
at WWF-Germany and in the WWF Marine Advisory Group for their assistance with
this chapter.
S.M. Wells . R. Rochert
preserving biodiversity. Typically, there are few concerns by industry for non-binding
principles, as in the case of the trilateral Wadden Sea management framework, if economic gains or political pressures are sufficiently high that they can be ignored. However, under the world ethic for living sustainably, industry itself should aim to avoid
using protected areas for construction work, should seek technical alternatives, and
should not take advantage of situations where legislation is weak or enforcement is
poor. In the case of pipelines, alternative routes should be a serious option, even if more
expensive. Furthermore, the ethic recognises that with rights go responsibilities, and
that everyone (governments, industry and individuals) must take responsibility for resolving such conflicts, and helping to maintain protected areas for the purposes for
which they were designed. A greater 'respect for nature' would mean the recognition
that certain areas should remain UDviolated on principle, for their beauty, uniqueness
and ecological integrity.
4.6
Conclusion
Current trends in conservation and management of the natural environment have been
to emphasise the role of sustainable human use and development. This is essential in
many cases, where human survival and quality oflife is dependent on natural resources.
However, there are strong arguments for ensuring that nature conservation takes precedence over economic interests in protected areas. Industry should respect these and,
on ethical grounds alone, avoid using protected areas for large-scale constructions.
WWF's view is that both governments and industry must take greater responsibility for
enforcing protected area systems and maintaining them in an unviolated state. Once
one form of incursion such as Europipe has occurred and been sanctioned, subsequent
'abuses' are much easier, and the original objectives of the protected area will be progressively eroded. There are few human activities which in the long-term carry no risk,
and the application of the precautionary principle, a central tenet for sustainable resource management, is a high priority in the management of protected areas.
In addition to the ethical argument that some natural areas should be set aside as
pristine areas to maintain their ecological integrity for future generations, there are
also scientific arguments. Firstly, large-scale constructions by their very nature may
ultimately have a negative impact on that environment, and, secondly, there is a need
for truly pristine areas as reference sites for the future. Governments must improve
enforcement of their protected area systems and meet their international obligations
in this regard. There must be greater political commitment to ethical principles and a
willingness to support these beliefs with appropriate legislation.
As pristine coastal habitat and unpolluted and unfished marine waters become increasingly restricted in size, and the competing interests of industry and development
intrude even more, the question of how 'protected' the world's protected areas are will
become increasingly urgent.
Acknowledgements. We are very grateful to Hans-Ulrich Rosner and to other colleagues
at WWF-Germany and in the WWF Marine Advisory Group for their assistance with
this chapter.