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.
The reason because environmental issues were not take in consideration before, in the economic field, was due to the absence of their costs from the calculation of GNI. However, it has to be consider that future growth and in general, quality of life are strongly related to environment. Therefore, environment’s long term implications has to be taken in consideration in the economy.
Southgate, Douglas DeWitt, and Morris D. Whitaker. Economic Progress and the Environment: One Developing Country's Policy Crisis. New York: Oxford UP, 1994. Print.
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.
In international parlance, development encompasses the need and the means by which to provide better life for people in poor countries and it includes not only economic growth, although that is crucial, but also human development like...
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
This essay will detail will examine how development is defined and the relative inaccuracies which surround it. Good, you define terms and introduce the purpose of the essay. As mentioned above, many economists use GNP or GDP to measure. development. The. GNP may be defined as the total value, or output of goods.
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.
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.
Though several people see large rapidly growing populations in developing regions as the primary culprit in environmental decline, we need to focus on the costly environmental outcomes of overconsumption among the gradually increasing populations of the developed nations. These differing emphases naturally point to fundamentally different solutions: slow population increase in less-developed nations or change destructive consumption and production patterns in the more-developed nations. This debate, however, assumes a one-step answer to the complex problems created by population pressures on the environment. Both population size and consumption ...
Economic growth also play a role in reducing debt to GDP ratios. Therefore, money can be spent on protecting the environment. With higher real GDP a society can dedicate more resources to promoting recycling and the utilization of renewable resources investment. Economic growth encourages investment and therefore encourages a virtuous cycle of economic growth.
It is natural to be misled by the idea that economic growth is the key
‘Development that meets the needs of the present with the ability for the future generation to meet their own needs.’ (World Commission on Environment and Development, 1987) Sustainable development requires three key components: economy, society and environment, sustainable development can be success through striking balance in those factors. These three components are indispensible, they compel to depend on each other. On the other words, we can only gain a decent and energetic environment and society if the economy is strong with a healthy a stable growth rate.
The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is the total market value of in a country’s output. The GDP is the total market value of all final goods and services produced by factors in within given period of time that located in the country doesn’t matter they are citizens or foreign-owned companies. Hence, the GDP is the best way to measure the country economy.
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.