International Banks and the Environment

Download or read book International Banks and the Environment written by Raymond F. Mikesell and published by Random House (NY). This book was released on 1992 with total page 330 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Raymond Mikesell and Lawrence Williams argue that even though development banks have made some commendable progress--especially in the past several years--there is still much left to be done. It is imperative that MDB's learn to fund irrigation projects that increase agricultural output without damaging the soil or polluting waterways, and support forest projects that will use resources productively without destroying ecosystems or indigenous cultures. Multilateral banks can improve their performance--and the public can press them toward reform--by learning from both the satisfactory and unsatisfactory operations of the past. Mikesell and Williams review in detail the ecological and human consequences of projects supported by development banks over the past three decades. They analyze the problems associated with agricultural projects, forestry programs, and development initiatives for mining, livestock, power, and infrastructure.