1. And natural wealth can be a curse because it disrupts this lifeline to modernity. 2. Black Earth country has the natural wealth to feed an entire nation. 3. A combination of abundant natural wealth, plenty of space and careless habits meant that few Russians took environmental housekeeping seriously. 4. But the availability of natural wealth, here measured as the ratio of raw material and primary product exports to national income, depressed growth rates. 5. In Congo and Sierra Leone as well, natural wealth is fueling catastrophic conflict. 6. Many African nations, including Nigeria and South Africa, sit atop great natural wealth, including crude oil, diamonds, cocoa and gold. 7. Nazarbayev, presiding over a new nation with vast natural wealth, initially relied on Giffen to negotiate favorable terms as Kazakhstan began forging deals with Western oil companies. 8. Natural wealth can lead to corruption and red tape. 9. Nonetheless, inattention to the component of natural wealth that is associated with the environment may ultimately limit the potential of otherwise healthy development. 10. Responsible companies seek to replenish this natural wealth and to extract resources in ways that minimize the harm to the planet. |