Środowisko przyrodnicze w rozwoju gospodarczym

People live and work in a specific environmental surrounding. In their economic activity, they use this environment. Until recently, the resources of the environment were considered to be unlimited and as result of that they were treated as free goods, which do not have a price and can be used without Iimits. Recently, this approach has changed, and the environment, its quality and accessibility, is considered as an important factor influencing economic development. This paper presents the evolution in the understanding of the value of environmental resources in the theory of economics, and connected with this issue of the ecological barriers for development. It concludes with a description of eco- development as a new concept of economic development, which results from the increasing problem of ecological crisis. This new concept of eco-development, is aimed at halting the deterioration of the environment, by using a new strategy of economic development, which is minimising the negative impact of economic activity on the environment.