Sustainable Development, Poverty and Population Growth
“Sustainable development (SD) is maintaining a delicate balance between the human need to improve lifestyles and feeling of well-being on one hand, and preserving natural resources and ecosystems, on which we and future generations depend” (Authorstream, 2010, p 1: ¶ 1). In concurrence, the World Commission on Environment and Development (WCED) asserts that SD is, “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs” (Authorstream, 2010, p 1: ¶ 2). This essay concentrates on how population growth and poverty issues are interrelated with each other as well as being related to the concept of sustainable development.
Panayotou (2000, p 177: ¶ 2) asserts that in rural, less developed countries such as Sub-Saharan African countries, "population growth, poverty and environmental degradation are entangled in a mutually reinforcing vicious circle." This 'new economic demography' considers population growth as not being exogenous and it attempts to pinpoint fertility influencing factors (Panayotou, 2000, p 177).
It is argued that population growth is one of the leading causes of environmental degradation and resource exploitation, thus preventing sustainable development. It is proposed that since ecological degradation is often assumed to provoke poverty, population growth may lead to environmental degradation, which thus provokes poverty (Pearce and Warford, 1993, p 149). Such an argument is subject to much controversy. It is debated that a decline in population growth is a prerequisite in order to realize a sustainable future. Van Ginneken and van Diepen (1993, p 353: ¶ 3) suggest that, “less population growth certainly contributes to alleviation of problems such as poverty and environmental degradation, but it is not the solution.”
Pearce and Warford (1993, p 150) provide an insightful view on the correlation between ecological degradation, poverty, and population growth (See appendix – figure
Panayotou (2000, p 177: ¶ 2) asserts that in rural, less developed countries such as Sub-Saharan African countries, "population growth, poverty and environmental degradation are entangled in a mutually reinforcing vicious circle." This 'new economic demography' considers population growth as not being exogenous and it attempts to pinpoint fertility influencing factors (Panayotou, 2000, p 177).
It is argued that population growth is one of the leading causes of environmental degradation and resource exploitation, thus preventing sustainable development. It is proposed that since ecological degradation is often assumed to provoke poverty, population growth may lead to environmental degradation, which thus provokes poverty (Pearce and Warford, 1993, p 149). Such an argument is subject to much controversy. It is debated that a decline in population growth is a prerequisite in order to realize a sustainable future. Van Ginneken and van Diepen (1993, p 353: ¶ 3) suggest that, “less population growth certainly contributes to alleviation of problems such as poverty and environmental degradation, but it is not the solution.”
Pearce and Warford (1993, p 150) provide an insightful view on the correlation between ecological degradation, poverty, and population growth (See appendix – figure
References: Authorstream. 2010. Sustainable Development Definitions. [Online]. Available: http://www.gdrc.org/sustdev/definitions.html. [13 October 2010]. Gale, T. 2006. Environmental Refugees from Environmental Encyclopedia. [Online]. Available: http://www.bookrags.com/research/environmental-refugees-enve-01/. [15 October 2010]. Ginneken, J. Van., and Diepen, A. Van. 1993. Decrease in population growth: A condition for a sustainable future. Dutch Committee for Long-Term Environmental Policy. (eds) (1993) The Environment: Towards a Sustainable Future. Kluwer Academic Publishers. Pp. 351-369. Markandya, A. 2001. Poverty, environment and development in Folmer, H., Gabel, H., and Rose, A. (2001). Frontiers of Environmental Economics. Edward Elgar. Panayotou, T. 2000. Population and Environment in Folmer H. and Tietenberg, T. The International Yearbook of Environmental Resource Economics 2000/2001. Edward Elgar. Ch 4, pp. 148-196. Pearce, D.W., and Warford, J. 1993. “World Without End”, Ch 6 Population, Resources and Environment. Tietenberg, T. 2000. Environmental Economics and Policy, “Development, Poverty and the Environment.” Harper Collins Ch 20, pp. 410-433.