THE
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN GROWTH AND ECO SYSTEM
The relationship between every growing
economy and its effects on various ecosystems is a complex
one. Economic growth based only on the exploitation of natural
resources and ecosystem services will reduce opportunities for
increasing growth and prosperity in the long term. Natural resources
that are taken care of and maintained in a sustainable manner provide
the best basis for every economic growth.
At some point,
the benefits of growth can be overshadowed by its negative effects.
Owing to the evolution of geographic relations, the physical
environment favorable to one stage of development may be adverse to
another, and vice versa.
Rapid economic growth and the
resulting changes in consumption patterns can drastically change the
nature and scale of impact on the Earth's environment and natural
resources.
There is no need for conflict between
growth and the environment, but this is too often the case if
environmental issues are not planned and maintained
properly. If growth is achieved at the cost of the natural
resources on which every area dependent for their livelihoods, growth
can frustrate the goal of prosperity and destroy the healthy progress
of whole community.
Since progress in civilization involves an increasing exploitation
of natural advantages and the development of closer relations between a
land and its people, it is an erroneous idea that man tends to
emancipate himself more and more from the control of the natural
conditions forming at once the foundation and environment of his
activities. On the contrary, he multiplies his dependencies upon
nature;
but while increasing their sum total, he diminishes the force of each.
There lies the gist of the matter.
We need a form of development which
takes place within the framework
laid down by nature, and not at the expense of nature and the
environment.
ABOUT
THE AUTHOR
Maya
Gavric, entrepreneur, consultant, realtor, freelance writer,
web developer, artist and marketing coach has been
working, researching and reporting on the Internet for years. Her
numerous articles offer valuable insight and tips on wide variety of
topics. In recent times she has paid particular attention to knowledge
management on the Internet and environmental problems, exploring how
our attention to hot issues might best transform current situation into
better practice.
The "Cost
Of Growth"
reprinted with permission.
© 2007 SupportEnvironment.info
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