Environmental Sustainability and the Financial Crisis: Linkages and Policy Recommendations

Eric Helleiner, Ian H. Rowlands, Jennifer Clapp, John Whalley, Thomas Homer-Dixon, Jason Thistlethwaite, Debora L. VanNijnatten, and Annette Hester
CIGI Working Group on Environment and Resources
Friday, September 11, 2009

As the global economic crisis and nascent recovery continue to unfold, it is important not to lose sight of the environment amid fiscal stimulus efforts and economic reorientation. Economic prosperity cannot be pursued at the expense of environmental sustainability. Indeed, long-term economic prosperity requires a strong and healthy ecosystem at its base. The papers presented in this publication outline and highlight unique challenges and opportunities for policy makers in the face of the current economic crisis.

Eric Helleiner is CIGI chair in international political economy at the Balsillie School of International Affairs and professor at the University of Waterloo.
Jennifer Clapp is the CIGI chair in Global Environmental Governance and professor at the Balsillie School of International Affairs and the University of Waterloo.
A distinguished fellow at CIGI, John Whalley’s research interests include the G20, globalization, Chinese policy issues and climate change negotiations.
Thomas Homer-Dixon is the CIGI chair of global systems at the Balsillie School of International Affairs, and a professor at the University of Waterloo.