CRITICAL PATH FOR ENVIRONMENTAL-MANAGEMENT IN DEVELOPING-COUNTRIES OF LATIN-AMERICA

Many Latin American countries are currently promoting the development of industry and exploitation of natural resources in an attempt to improve their economic stability. Regrettably, this development process is inevitably accompanied by environmental contamination. However, most of these countries lack the economic base and trained manpower essential for the implementation of a ″corrective″ strategy using costly and sophisticated pollution abatement technology. Furthermore, most of these countries lack the public support, governmental motivation, legislation, and regulatory infrastructure needed for effective environmental management. This paper outlines, in a simplified critical path format, some of the important elements for an environmental management program in developing Latin American countries.