It is possible to evaluate the main schools of thought in environmental economics based on a stylized view of sustainable development. This view considers that is sustainable the development that assures: at least the maintenance of the level of well-being of the current generation of inhabitants of the first world; an increase in the well-being of the present generation inhabiting the poor countries; and, the ability of the future generations to maintain or improve their well-being. In principle, a school of thought in environmental economics should consider these three aspects; however, some emphasize one, others stress another of these aspects. Based on a framework founded on the above concept of sustainable development, the paper presents an evaluation of two of these schools of thought: neoclassical environmental economics, emphasizing the short term and industrialized market economies; and a school which could be termed the economy of survival, emphasizing the very long term. It begins with a discussion of the recent insertion of the environmental dimension in economics, follows with a review of the concept of sustainable development, which is adapted for the evaluation. It concludes with a discussion of the main contribution of the two schools, and of the main contrasts between them

Revista de Editora Política 1998

v. 18, n. 2(70)