“One of the first conditions of happiness is that the link between man and nature shall not be broken.”
Leo Tolstoy
INTRODUCTION: One of the greatest issues in today’s society is the trade-off between economic development and environmental protection. On the one hand, people are concerned about the state of their environment, which is deteriorating by the day. Global warming, the greenhouse effect, and air and water pollution are all major challenges that are getting worse by the day. Development, on the other hand, is required to reduce poverty and boost economic growth. A nation cannot escape the vicious cycle of poverty and provide a guarantee of existence to its citizens without economic progress.
In their respective fields, each is equally significant. However, when it comes to deciding between the two, it is clear that environmental conservation takes precedence over economic development. We have already squandered a significant amount of natural resources in the development process, which is now manifesting itself in the form of global warming, deforestation, greenhouse gas emissions, and a slew of other issues. Now is the time to conserve our resources so that future generations can live in a healthy environment.
POVERTY AND ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE CONNECTION: Human activities have put our planet in jeopardy on several occasions. We have neglected to pay attention to the reality that poverty and environmental harm are inextricably intertwined in the growth process. The destruction of rainforests has resulted in the disappearance of aboriginal people’s safe-havens. They do not have any other option except to live in slums. Polluted water causes agricultural and food failure. Climate change has resulted in the conversion of arable fields into deserts and the flooding of coastal areas, which house a large portion of the country’s population.
POLLUTION DEFECTS: Pollution is one of the most significant consequences of economic development. And pollution has its own set of negative consequences. Rather, countries lose more as a result of pollution than as a result of development. China is a wonderful example of this circumstance. For the past 20 years, the economy’s unrestrained growth has resulted in chronic levels of water and air pollution. Hundreds of lives have been injured as a result of this pollution, which has spread deadly diseases and resulted in significant losses for farmers due to failing crops. This unregulated development is an illustration of why environmental health is more essential than economic growth.
Intensive development causes climate changes that affect the entire planet, not just emerging countries. As sea levels rise, deserts advance and natural disasters become more regular, it is anticipated to have a greater negative influence on emerging economies.
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT: There is no impediment to economic growth and development that can improve the level of living for a million people. Sustainable development is what needs to be prioritized and emphasized. This type of development combines environmental protection and social justice with economic development. Here, development is planned and carried out in such a way that it consumes the fewest natural resources feasible while simultaneously conserving a significant quantity for future generations. With this type of sustainable development, the world’s economic progress is unrestricted, and the environment is protected.
THE WAY FORWARD: Development is both humanity’s greatest ambition and its greatest challenge. Poverty, famine, and environmental degradation continue to plague the world, despite considerable economic and social progress made over the last century.
Furthermore, environmental deterioration and climate change have started to have irreversible effects on the development progress that has been made thus far.
As a result, development objectives must be met while adhering to environmental regulations.
ENDNOTES: https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/blink/know/blindly-ahead/article7429972.ece
Aishwarya Says:
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