Title: Ecological modernisation and nature conservation

Authors: C.S.A. (Kris) van Koppen

Addresses: Environmental Policy Group, Department of Social Sciences, Wageningen University, Hollandseweg 1, 6706 KN Wageningen, The Netherlands

Abstract: Although ecological modernisation has a prominent position in contemporary environmental sociology, efforts to use ecological modernisation concepts in the specific case of nature conservation are remarkably absent. This article explores the potentials of applying ecological modernisation as a discourse and as a theory to issues of nature management. It is argued that ecological modernisation theory offers interesting perspectives for analysing actual developments in nature and biodiversity conservation. From an ecological modernisation perspective, nature conservation emerges both as resource conservation and as cultural consumption. Social research into multifunctional land use and into new economic actors and market dynamics in conservation fits in well with the hypotheses of ecological modernisation theory, and this theory can be very helpful in analysing the links between production and consumption practices and issues of nature conservation. The central concept of ecological rationality, however, would need to be broadened in order to encompass the socio-cultural drivers of consumers and citizens dealing with nature.

Keywords: ecological modernisation; nature conservation; biodiversity; ecological rationality.

DOI: 10.1504/IJESD.2003.003846

International Journal of Environment and Sustainable Development, 2003 Vol.2 No.3, pp.305 - 323

Published online: 10 May 2004 *

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