The most serious challenge before the states is pursuing economic development without causing further damage to the global environment. How could we achieve this ? Explain with a few examples.

Solution

The economic development without causing further damage to the global environment can be achieved with the following ways :

(i) The approach to development should be ‘of sustainable development’. For example, there was consensus at the Rio Summit in 1992 on combining economic growth with ecological responsibility.

(ii) There should be more cooperation over the global commons i.e., earth’s atmosphere, Antarctica, the ocean floor and outer space. Some agreements such as the 1959 Antarctic Treaty, the 1987 Montreal Protocol and the 1991 Antarctic Environmental Protocol have been signed to break the deadlock among the states.

(iii) The Kyoto Protocol has set the targets for industrialised countries to cut their greenhouse gas emissions.Forest clearing in the Third world which continues at an alarming rate should be stopped.

(iv) The mineral industry’s extraction of earth, its use of chemicals and its clearance of vegetations, pollution of waterways and land should be checked.

(v) The construction of the Mega-dams should be discouraged while the usage of renewable resources should be encouraged.

Some More Questions From Environment and Natural Resources Chapter

Compromise and accommodation are the two essential policies required by states to save planet Earth. Substantiate the statement in the light of the ongoing negotiations between the North and South on environmental issues.