Dear Rk Naresh ,

Interesting question, the obvious answer from somebody who says they care about the planet would be a very strong 'no'. However, two other considerations should be taken into account, at least for me: a) whether it really is possible to have economic development that nonetheless promotes environmental conservation and b) why is the fact that we need to conserve the planet, even if that means eschewing economic development, not obvious to most heads of states and ministers of financial affairs.

Best Wishes,

Haris

Dr Haris Shekeris thank you for your contribution to the discussion

Protecting the environment is more important than economic development because of its negative impact on the environment and human health. However, sustainable economic development is possible if it does not negatively impact the environment. Environmental protection itself contributes to economic growth. Environmental protection is often seen in conflict with individual freedom and economic growth. The proponents of environmental protection suggest that the environment is a global resource that must be protected for future generations, even at the expense of economic growth and individual freedoms. Development remains the greatest pursuit as well as a challenge, faced by humanity. However, despite the unprecedented economic and social progress that has been made over the last century, poverty, famine and environmental degradation still persist on a global scale. Economic development is often put ahead of environmental sustainability as it involves people's standards of living. However, quality of life can decline if people live in an economic place with a poor environmental quality because of economic development. We now know, through the experiences of both developed and developing countries, that economic growth can complement environmental conservation and transitioning to a low-carbon economy can go hand-in-hand with increased access to economic opportunity and higher levels of well-being. Economic development works to create better jobs that lead to an increased standard of living for people, and to improve the infrastructure of the community where they live. We now know, through the experiences of both developed and developing countries, that economic growth can complement environmental conservation and transitioning to a low-carbon economy can go hand-in-hand with increased access to economic opportunity and higher levels of well-being. Preservation of open space, trails, parks and greenways creates jobs, enhances property values, expands local businesses, attracts new or relocating businesses, increases local tax revenues, decreases local government expenditures through the natural provision of ecosystem services, decreases the cost of recreation. Preservation of parks, forests, farms, stream valleys and trees increases the value of nearby houses, increases tax revenues, supports local businesses, decreases government spending through the natural provision of ecosystem services, decreases the cost of recreation, and creates jobs.

Economic development and environmental protection are often seen as being in conflict, but there is a growing recognition that they are actually linked. Economic development can lead to environmental degradation, but it can also create the resources and opportunities needed to protect the environment.

Economic development is important because it can help to improve people's lives. It can lead to higher incomes, better education and healthcare, and greater access to essential goods and services. However, economic development can also come at a cost to the environment. For example, the extraction and use of natural resources can pollute the air and water, and the production of goods and services can generate waste.

Environmental protection is important because it is essential for human health and well-being. It can help to clean up pollution, protect ecosystems, and conserve biodiversity. Environmental protection can also help to mitigate the effects of climate change, which is a major threat to human society and the economy.

Economic development and environmental protection are linked in a number of ways. For example, investing in renewable energy can create jobs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Developing more efficient transportation systems can reduce air pollution and congestion. And protecting forests can help to conserve water resources and prevent soil erosion.

It is important to find ways to balance economic development with environmental protection. This can be done through a variety of policies, such as:

• Investing in clean technologies: Governments can provide subsidies and tax breaks for businesses that develop and use clean technologies.
• Regulating pollution: Governments can set standards for air and water quality, and impose fines on businesses that pollute the environment.
• Promoting sustainable agriculture: Governments can support farmers who use sustainable farming practices, such as planting cover crops and rotating crops.
• Investing in public transportation: Governments can invest in public transportation systems to reduce the number of cars on the road.
• Protecting natural areas: Governments can designate protected areas, such as national parks and forests, to conserve biodiversity and prevent development.

By taking these steps, we can achieve economic development without sacrificing environmental protection.

Is economic development more important than environmental protection?

This is a complex question with no easy answer. It depends on a number of factors, such as the specific country or region, the level of economic development, and the environmental challenges facing that country or region.

In general, however, it is important to find a balance between economic development and environmental protection. Both are important for human well-being and prosperity.

Dr Murtadha Shukur thank you for your contribution to the discussion

Protecting the environment is more important than the economic growth of developing countries because the economic growth of industrial nations has negatively impacted the environment to the point where the quality of life has been declining globally, both ecologically and in terms of health.Economic growth and environmental protection are key development challenges. Theoretically, eco-tourism could increase workers' income and increase the incentive to preserve forests. However, higher income is generally associated with larger environmental degradation. Water, soil, air, biological, forest and fisheries resources are productive assets, whose quality helps determine the productivity of the economy. Focusing on this role of environment as a producer good highlights the direct effect environmental problems have on economic growth.Preservation of parks, forests, farms, stream valleys and trees increases the value of nearby houses, increases tax revenues, supports local businesses, decreases government spending through the natural provision of ecosystem services, decreases the cost of recreation, and creates jobs. t manifests in myriad ways and influences a wide range of behaviors. Thus, it does not have a uniform effect on environmental quality. Manufacturing-led economic growth often increases air pollution, while expansion of the services sector might not.Economic growth will be undermined without adequate environmental safeguards, and environmental protection will fail without economic growth. The earth's natural resources place limits on economic growth. These limits vary with the extent of resource substitution, technical progress, and structural changes. Environmental protection is often seen in conflict with individual freedom and economic growth. The proponents of environmental protection suggest that the environment is a global resource that must be protected for future generations, even at the expense of economic growth and individual freedoms. As income grows, people achieve a higher living standard and care more for the quality of the environment they. live in. The demand for a better environment as income grows induces structural changes in the economy that tend to reduce environmental degradation. Economic development works to create better jobs that lead to an increased standard of living for people, and to improve the infrastructure of the community where they live. Economic development is often put ahead of environmental sustainability as it involves people's standards of living. However, quality of life can decline if people live in an economic place with a poor environmental quality because of economic development. Economic development is essential for the growth and progress of society, but it often comes at a cost to the environment. Ignoring the environmental consequences of economic development can lead to long-term negative impacts on the environment, people, and future generations. Protecting the environment is more important than economic development because of its negative impact on the environment and human health. However, sustainable economic development is possible if it does not negatively impact the environment. Environmental protection itself contributes to economic growth.