Neoliberal economists claim that globalisation triggered growth will improve the quality of environment in the long run. On the other hand, almost all practicing environment protectors say that negative ecological effects far outweigh benefits. Countries exposed to the increasing global competition are routinely forced to loosen their environmental regulations. International specialisation is often damaging to the environment and leads to monocultures in farming. Economic globalisation and the current wasteful mode of production mutually reinforce each other.