The Ecological Consequences of Global Economic Growth

The Ecological Consequences of Global Economic Growth

“There have been five ‘ mass extinctions’ in the history of the earth,

when between 65% and 95% of all species were wiped out, due to natural

processes of selection and evolution. Some scientists now argue that

we are heading for a ‘sixth extinction’, caused by the actions of

humans.” (Cock and Hopwood, 1996:17)

In the following I’m going to look at the positive and negative

effects of the ecological systems of global economic growth and the

effects on economic loss, and briefly discuss the concept of ‘risk’,

and the consequences of ‘population growth’.

I would also like to pay attention to the negative and positive

effects of economic growth, such as the effects caused by

‘deforestation’, and the demands of economic growth, and whether it

really is a “global threat.”

Finally looking at the effects on ecological niche paying particular

attention to the wildlife that live on the arctic northern

hemispheres, such as the ‘Polar Bear’ and the consequence of our ever

so changing environment, such as our changing climate and whether this

is due to human interference and what effects it could have on food

chains, and the extinction of certain species and predators.

Firstly I would like to discuss the global resource problems and the

effects it has on economic growth. There is suggestion that the

development process, which in turn then puts ‘development’ in a state

of ‘Risk’, endangers the world’s natural resources such as land,

biomass, and water supplies. (Redclift.M, 1984:20).

Some fact suggested by Jeffery 1981, (as cited in Redclift.M 1984:21)

stated evidence from th...

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...ting for less

polluting ones. If natural resources were to become scarce then this

in turn would then actively force people to be more careful in their

use of conservation and to switch to other resources by substitution.

And although population is a problem in some countries, some countries

have realized the benefits of having smaller families. (Turner et al,

1994:48)

However, as Cock and Hopwood have initially pointed out is, what is

empirical, is the fact that humans have had the ability to

increasingly transform the planet and are actively achieving that.

Humans also, though, have the ability to foresee the consequences of

much of their action and to decide to avoid what could be destructive

or threatening, and what is essential about our relationship of human

society to the rest of the environment. (1996:18)