Sustainable economic development entails the ability of the present human beings to meet their needs with the available resources without trashing the ability of the future generations from doing the same (Sustainable Development in Developing Countries, 2012a ). It also involves integrating all environmental issues with the purpose of ensuring economic development that can meet the immediate needs of both the present and future generations. Sustainable economic development encompasses cultural, natural, social, and economic environments whose inclusive development is vital to the welfare of society.
Notably, sustainability in terms of interdependence and fairness ought to be between countries in the world and individuals within a country. For instance, South Africa that has abundant gold and platinum lacks adequate water for its population. The rich population possesses most of these natural resources since the distribution processes do not follow fairness and equity but the purchasing power of an individual. Clearly, such an economy encourages disparities among the population with a small population having the potential to consume a large portion of the world’s natural resources. This country can reduce poverty levels by enhancing pro-poor development mechanisms.
The main causes of environmental degradation in developing nations are grouped into two categories namely natural and human factors. Natural factors are nature bound; they include hurricanes, volcanic eruptions, and droughts among others. Droughts, for instance, destroy the vegetation thus leaving the land open for massive erosions (Powell, 2009). Both wind and soil erosions sweep the top fertile soil; such soils cannot support crop production.
If droughts occur in some parts of the world then, there will be a diverse economic growth thereby causing unsustainability in economic development. On the other front, human factors like industrialization and urbanization result from human actions. Powell (2009) asserts that when a country sets up industries in different areas, employment opportunities and the market for investments arise. From this perspective, the economy will serve a vast population thereby enhancing equality and accessibility to the country’s resources by all. On the other hand, the industrialization process can lead to the mechanization of production thus putting laborers out of work.
Deforestation and water pollution have immense effects on developing countries — polluted water results from wastes that do not decompose quickly. Developing countries will meet the extra cost of treating polluted water. Their governments could have directed these funds to other useful economic projects like rural electrification and education sponsorship. Socially, polluted water causes numerous diseases such as cholera and typhoid.
These diseases may kill the poor who only have money for their everyday basic needs. The social structure in society reveals the different economic powers that exist in the community. Economists believe that the massive deforestation in Sub-Sahara Africa and Latin America are due to the tragedy of the commons where individuals pursue their own interests. Cutting down of forests destroys water-catchment regions in a country; this forces a country to put more funds on irrigation than ever in order to enhance economic sustainability. Developing nations can develop alternative sources of energy among their rural population who mostly uses firewood and charcoal as a source of fuel.
Moreover, they can carry out mass education on the benefits of planting trees and proper waste management methods. Since a negative effect on the environment affects all, developed countries should increase financial incentives that target developing nations on forest preservation and clean water management (Kanetkar & Pachauri, n.d.). An example of such a program is the REDD initiative that stands for Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation; it has consumed over $30billion towards funding clean low-carbon emission initiatives in the underdeveloped nations.
The high vulnerability among the poor makes them be at a high degree of influence from the effects of climate change and global warming. Libya that is in North Africa experiences immense drought while areas of Asian mega-deltas experience massive flooding (Todaro & Smith, 2012). These poor nations meet the cost of environmental degradation. Some extended effects include displacements, poor housing, and adverse health conditions.
Between 1915 and 1934, the United States occupied Haiti and in the process constructed roads, improved the education system, restored order, and basic security. In addition, the US improved Haiti’s health system. When the dictatorial leader Francois Duvalier took over the leadership, the economic infrastructure began deteriorating. The dictator focused on short-term benefits instead of modernizing Haiti. On the other hand, the Dominican Republic leadership focused on improving their already made infrastructure (Todaro & Smith, 2012). Comparatively, the DR dictatorial leader Trujillo facilitated a higher economic growth than his counterpart in Haiti did.
Haiti went ahead to record the highest illiteracy rate and a poor health system by 2010. However, DR was well placed at the time in providing its people with the basic human capital that remained essential in the global economy. Further, the strong background on infrastructure, health, trade, and education steered the economic growth of DR. Its exports, remittance, and tourism grew to almost half the GDP. Haiti, on the other hand, experienced political instability since the army overthrew the regime.
The regime was so violent that the country could not engage in other economic activities. The diversification on tourism made DR focus on the clean and sustainable environment while Haiti only focused on sugar that had a volatile market price. The organization of the early institutions in DR reveals its stability even during natural calamities like the 2004 Hurricane Jeanne. It went further to absorb Haitians refugees who crossed the border due to the Haiti hurricanes.
References
Kanetkar, R. S., & Pachauri, R. K. (n.d.). Deforestation and desertification in developing countries. United Nations University. Web.
Powell, F. (2009). Environmental Degradation. SlideBoom – upload and share rich powerpoint presentations online. Web.
Sustainable Development in Developing Countries. (2012). Kies op maat Home. Web.
Todaro, M. P., & Smith, S. C. (2012). Economic development (11th ed.). Boston, Mass: Addison-Wesley. Web.