Development pattern and environment in Brazil

After describing the present situation of ecological transition, which is one of the factors in the economic, institutional and environmental crisis of present-day society, the author tries to identify the main features of the industrial and agricultural expansion of Brazil, highlighting the socio-environmental impact of the style of development pursued by that country since the war. On the basis of this diagnostic study, and especially of the technical background material prepared for (he drafting of the National Report presented by Brazil at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) (Rio de Janeiro, June 1992), the author describes the main requirements and components of a sustainable industrial and agricultural development strategy which will permit both proper management of the country’s natural resource endowment and the maintenance of the environmental quality of the Brazilian ecosystem, while at the same time ensuring satisfaction of the basic needs of present and future generations.