But if we are to save dwindling natural environments such as the Langebaan Lagoon, we’re going to have to abandon 19th century thinking, writes Steve Kretzmann.

THERE MAY BE A FEW cases in which the natural environment has not suffered at the expense of economic development, but I can’t think of any in South Africa. The government’s current approach to growing the economy in order to allievate povery is highly problematic, and the ANC knows it. As noted at its Polokwane conference at the end of last year, the ‘trickle down’ principle of neo-liberal economics is not working. Apart from having a detrimental effect on vital social sectors such as health and education, our already compromised ecological systems are threatened by the current mindset.