Development is one of the most important factors of human life and one of the abilities which distinguish humans from animals. Over time, humans have realized their power to gain whatever they want from the environment. However, it has not taken too long for people to understand that this trend can end up with a disaster. Over consumption of limited natural resources can cause environmental degradation in an environment that humans are depends on it for living. This essay will look into the concept of economic growth and the effects of economic growth on the environment. Then, by analyzing the current situation, this essay will attempt to answer the question "how and how much can humans reduce environmental degradation?”
The concept of economic growth & development
Economists evaluate development as “economic growth” and measuring it by calculating the gross domestic product (GDP) to find and compare the level of economic activity in different countries usually in dollar. There are many ways to calculate the GDP. However, according to Redmond (2006) GDP is “the total value of goods and services produced in a country over a period of time” usually a year. In other words, GDP is consumption + investment + government spending + [exports – Imports] (Stanford, 2008). In case of world GDP, this formula shows us the human-being consumption value.
GDP measure the economic growth But it cannot measure “social changes” which is equally important and effective on development (Seitz, 2008). In some cases social changes that fallow economic growth can accelerate the environmental degradation. According to UN's Food and Agriculture Organization by 2050 meat production doubled. This is more than the rate of population growth. In other words,...
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...at education is one of the priorities for any changes. But it must be with aim to bring common belief about future (ibid.).
Finally if all of these tasks are done, maybe there is a possibility to postpone effect of environmental degradation for a few years. But to solve this issue completely the only solution remaining is using new technology and using it in right way (ibid.).
Conclusion
None of these solutions mean that government have to reduce the rate of economic growth. Some of the environmental degradation still can be prevented. Others (like extinction of species) are too late to be prevented. The main point is that economy can grow under cover of sustainable development if people come to the conclusion that they have to pay for that even by reducing the rate of population and economic growth. Otherwise, the nature will show it to humans in a hard way.
Global Inequalities and Interdependence Outline, and discuss the value of some of the indices which geographers have used in attempting to define 'a developing country' Measures of development are defined using a multitude of theories. Some focus on economic indicators, others on the quality of life. The economic indicator uses figures from GDP and GNP, which stand for Gross Domestic Product and Gross National Product respectively. GNP is the total value, or output of goods and services which become available during a period of time for consumption or saving within a country, plus income from foreign investors. This is then measured per head of the population, which gives GNP per Capita.
It is difficult for humans to live in harmony with nature because humans’ selfishness always places profits before our earth’s needs. We live in a consumer society, which we purchase interesting products and dispose of them carelessly. Those products with non-decomposable materials, which make our life easier and more comfortable, result a massive damage to our environment. In the articles, “A Fable for Tomorrow” by Rachel Carson and “Our Animals Rite” by Anna Quindlen, both authors suggest destruction in nature world due to human’s activities. As environment issues presented by scientists, governments around the world start to give highly attention on the environmental protection, but there are many challenges in implementing environmental protection policies. Some of the top environmental concerns are air pollution, climate changing and trash waste. Although people started to aware the horrible consequences due to polluted environment, an efficient life, people apathy toward ecosystem and human's unlimited desires for a confortable life have created obstacles for the world to protect the environment.
GDP measures the total value of all goods and services produced within that territory during a specified period. GDP is used to measure a country’s wealth. Basic’s of life, food, etc. shelter and clothing is not likely available to most people in poorer countries. The.
Southgate, Douglas DeWitt, and Morris D. Whitaker. Economic Progress and the Environment: One Developing Country's Policy Crisis. New York: Oxford UP, 1994. Print.
The film concentrates closely into the many ways in which humans affect the environment for the simple gain of resource’s and material goods from destroying the forest for land use and raw material to polluting the environment from dumping the melted iron
The impact of the development on the environment and its resources should be understood in order to move forward towards a way to make the relationship between development, growth and the environment possible. From here the concept
The manner by which the environment is being harmed is much different now than it was in the 1400's. Production byproducts rather than the actual production are the cause of current environmental degradation. However, economic analysis has proven that environmental protection is a normal good. A normal good or service in economic terms means that the demand for such items increases as income increases. As such, for the sake of the poor as well as the environment, policy makers with the aim of environmental protection should also consider their effects on the resulting, generally decreased level of production.
Economic growth and social development are complementary and they have a close but complex relationship. With the economic growth, it is clear that there are many environmental concerns in today’s society. Air, water, and land pollution have worsened; the environment of wild animals and plants has been seriously damaged; many species are threatened with extinction, deforestation and over-exploitation of mineral resources.
This illustrates that the inherent interdependence between the long-term stability of the environment and the economic sector is the basis for the study and practice of sustainable development. Factor that the leaders of all the spheres must have clear for the exercise of its functions having as focus the
Economic growth is an increase in capacity of an economy to produce goods and services, compared to from one period of time to another. The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) found within in an economy is formally used as a measuring point for how an economy is growing or performing within its framework of economic components. Gross domestic product itself is the total market value of all final goods and services produced in an economy over a period of time.
Economic development typically involves improvements in a variety of indicators such as literacy rates, life expectancy, and poverty rates. Due to the fact that GDP alone does not take into account other aspects such as leisure time, environmental quality, freedom, or social justice; alternative measures of economic well-being have been proposed. Essentially, a country’s economic development is related to its human development, which encompasses, among other things, health and education. These factors are, however, closely related to economic growth so that development and growth often go together.
Sustainable development entails a development blueprint where people fulfill the present needs without compromising on future generations' needs. In brief, sustainable development is a combination of the concepts of needs and limitations (Lyle, 2011). The needs concept implies the basic needs of the poor people in the world. World development projects could easily overlook the needs of the poor hence the intervention of sustainable development. The limitations idea, on the other hand, refers to the limitations that the technology and the social structure imposes on the environment’s potential to satisfy the present and future human needs. Consequentially, the United Nations identified economic development, social development and environmental protection. The critical discussion in this paper aims to address the concept of sustainable development by reviewing the main domains involved in sustainable development and the solution initiative to sustainable development. There are several domains of sustainable development. Scholars broadly classify the domains under ecology, politics, culture and economic domains.
Education and development thrive off of one another; when one is prospering, so is the other. What is important is to get all countries to a point of development where they can help themselves. Nelson Mandela said, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world,” and this is true. But in order to change and progress this world we live in, all human beings must receive an education.
Measuring World Development Development is a complex economic, social and political phenomenon. There are a range of simple and composite indicators used to measure development. There are many definitions of development, perhaps the most used is; “Development refers to a number of characteristics such as demographic change, economic growth, an increase in the case of resources, modernisation, higher levels of technology and political freedom.” Indicators of development are put into four sectors: Economic, Social, Political and environmental. These factors can be broken down into two groups, simple and composite.
Climate Change and Sustainable Development This research paper is about climate change with the concept of sustainable development, meaning that it will approach the climate change problem in an economical way and try to solve it with the new growth theory. New growth theory argues that innovations, population growth, new technology, and creative destruction are connected to each other and that these connections will solve the climate change problem. The exponential technology growth, improved international private rights and improved use of human capital are some of those key terms that the theory is all about. The most important thing towards the solution is human capital.