globalization
corporate-led globalization and biodiversity loss
The loss of livelihoods is deeply rooted
in the macro-economic development model of
corporate-led globalization. It promotes
too many enterprises that are the main
drivers of biodiversity loss: the
large-scale, exportoriented agricultural
industry; unsustainable commercial logging
companies; fish farms and factories; and
the mining industry.
These companies are fostered and actively promoted through trade liberalization and other forms of corporate-led globalization. Unchecked by effective national or international rules, they are able to plunder the earth’s resources for the benefit of distant shareholders while the communities that lived more harmoniously with these resources for generations are left with a ravaged earth.
The policies of the World Trade Organization, multilateral development banks like the World Bank, and export credit agencies together exacerbate this plundering with their promotion of export-oriented economic models and the further commercialization of biodiversity.
Small and medium sized businesses that form part of local economies, meet local needs and are more accountable to local people are undermined and unable to compete with huge multinationals. In the battle of economies, big is beautiful and local is expendable.
