The Environment and Development
The Environment and Development
and Development
1. Is sustainable development a practical and
feasible goal for nations? What might be some
of the difficulties and possible trade-offs?
Sustainable development, which aims to meet current needs without
compromising future generations' ability to meet their own, is feasible
but challenging for nations due to balancing economic growth with
environmental protection, societal behavior changes, and ensuring
social equity. Trade-offs include initial short-term costs for long-term
benefits, such as investing in renewable energy over fossil fuels.
2. In what ways does poverty lead to environmental degradation? In what
way are the poor victims? Specifically, provide two examples of how the
poor sometimes degrade the natural resources on which they depend.
Why does this happen and what might be done to escape this trap?
Poverty often compels people to exploit natural resources unsustainably for survival,
leading to environmental degradation. The poor are victims as they rely directly on
these resources for food, fuel, and income. Examples include overfishing by coastal
communities dependent on fish and deforestation for agriculture or firewood by rural
populations lacking alternative energy sources. This happens due to limited access to
education, technology, and markets, insecure land rights, and policies favoring short-
term economic gains. Escaping this trap involves providing secure land tenure,
promoting sustainable agricultural practices, and investing in alternative livelihoods
like eco-tourism or sustainable forestry.
3. Why are children more susceptible than adults to
health risks posed by their environment?