Il Ruolo del progresso tecnico nell'uso dell'ambiente e delle risorse naturali

Two opposite views with respect to the sustainability of growth are possible. A pessimistic one, holding that the growth of population is not compatible with the declining quality and fixed amounts of natural resources, and an optimistic one, holding that technical progress is capable both of improving the quality of natural resources and of expanding their quantities by economizing their use and by inventing new ways of production. Technical progress is therefore crucial to overcome scarcity but the problem is that it is not always in favour of natural resources. Overfishing has become an undesired result due not only to the excessive number of fishing vessels but also to their improved "efficiency" in catching their preys. What it is needed is therefore to direct technical progress towards an environmental friendly evolution. If we simply rely on the spontaneous working of technical progress we may end up with an even increased rate of deterioration of the state and the quality of natural resources. State intervention is therefore necessary.