What are the effects of economic development on resources and environment and relationship between economic growth and environmental quality?
The impacts of processing and use of resources, the production of goods and services, transport and waste generation, including greenhouse gas emissions, are central to how economic activity generates environmental pressures. The areas in which economic development is leading to environmental degradation are: Land degradation as well as soil erosion due to deforestation. Ecological degradation due to overgrazing and overall environmental degradation due to irresponsible utilization of water resources. The quantity and availability of natural resources affect the rate of economic growth. The discovery of more natural resources, such as oil or mineral deposits, will give a boost to the economy by increasing a country's production capacity. It has resulted in depletion of many resources. Accumulation of resources in few hands which, in turn, divided the society in two segments, i.e., haves and have-nots or rich and poor. It has led to the global ecological crisis, e.g., global warming, ozone layer depletion, environmental pollution, land degradation, etc. The way we use resources provokes often irreversible ecological change. Extraction and processing of non-regenerative raw materials are often energy intensive activities involving large scale interventions in ecosystems and the water balance and result in air, soil and water pollution. There is a view that rising incomes imply that the value of statistical life or health damage caused by environmental degradation is greater. This would imply increases in marginal benefits as incomes rise. Increased economic activity leads to increased demand for energy, which can lead to increased pollution. Deforestation to make way for agriculture or development can contribute to climate change. Where environmental quality directly affects human welfare, higher incomes tend to be associated with less degradation. But where the costs of environmental damage can be equalized, economic growth results in a steady deterioration of environmental quality.
Economic development can lead to resource depletion, pollution, habitat loss, and climate change. The relationship between economic growth and environmental quality is complex, initially worsening environmental degradation but potentially improving with technological innovation and environmental policies.
Economic development can lead to resource depletion, pollution, habitat destruction, and biodiversity loss. The relationship between economic growth and environmental quality is complex, with initial stages often associated with degradation, but advanced economies tend to prioritize environmental protection, leading to improvements in environmental quality.
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