A week or so ago I sent out an e-mail that had a paper in it on
sustainable development. I was mildly surprised that there was no
reaction to it at all.
(here is the link again)
http://agecon.lib.umn.edu/mn/wp9642a.pdf
Well in reading it I came across this portion which I found very
interesting.
"Economic Growth and Sustainability
Another controversial issue that comes up in the discussion of sustainable
growth is the allegation that economic growth and development are the
cause fo environmental damage. These arguments often take the form of
anti-growth postures, with the implication taht environmental damage could
be reduced or eliminated if we would only foregoe economic development.
There is little evidence for such a position. Moreover, it tends to be
mischevious. At least three issues seem important. First, a ranking of
countries by their level of per capita income would tend to show that
environmental problems are more serious at low levels of of per capita
income that at high levels. Second, the "taste" for a cleaner environment
tends to be associated with higher per capita incomes. It is only at
later stages of development that the citizenry begin to demand a cleaner
environment and greater attention to sustainability issues. Third,
economic growth provides the means by which environmental and
sustainability issues can be addressed. Thus, given that the world's
population seems to grow inexorably, the only alternative seems to be to
promote ecnomic development in sustainable ways, not to forego economic
growth." (Page 16)
Steve
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"In a nutshell, he [Steve] is 100% unadulterated evil. I do not believe in a
'Satan', but this man is as close to 'the real McCoy' as they come."
--Jamey Lee West
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