"Environmental degradation is neither the inevitable price of, nor a desirable path for, economic development

"Environmental degradation is neither the inevitable price of, nor a desirable path for, economic development." (UNDP, et al, 2005) Introduction Environmental degradation is now apparent on a global scale. In addition to the deterioration of what were once considered free goods (such as air and water), escalating scarcity of natural resources, deforestation, desertification and threatened bio-diversity are now commonplace across the spectrum. There are certainly no reservations over the scale of this degradation, however there is much controversy concerning the apparent environmental degradation - economic development nexus. Many have argued that short-term tradeoffs exist in the form of environmental degradation, for superior long-term economic gains. One of the positions put forward is that environmental degradation is the result and inevitable price of economic development. This viewpoint is based on the Environmental Kuznets Curve, regarding environmental degradation as the 'necessary evil' for achieving 'economic development' and suggesting that environmental assets are degraded in the early stages of economic development, only to improve after some income threshold has been passed at a later point. In the last decade, extensive literature has argued that a direct link between environmental degradation and economic development is too simplistic and that the

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  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Physical Sciences
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Social Movements, Law, and Society - The Institutionalization of the Environmental Movement.

Social Movements, Law, and Society: The Institutionalization of the Environmental Movement Cary Coglianese Harvard University John F. Kennedy School of Government 79 John F. Kennedy Street Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138 [email protected] Copyright (c) 2001 by Cary Coglianese. All rights reserved. Forthcoming in the University of Pennsylvania Law Review. Social Movements, Law, and Society: The Institutionalization of the Environmental Movement Cary Coglianese* Social change lies at the heart of the definition of a social movement. A social movement is a broad set of sustained organizational efforts to change the structure of society or the distribution of society's resources.1 Within social movements, law reformers typically view law as a resource or strategy to achieve desired social change.2 Since social change is the purpose of a social movement, law reform generally is taken to provide a means of realizing that goal.3 According to this conventional view, social movements, law reform, and society interact in a simple, unidirectional fashion. Social movement organizations seek to secure law reform; in turn, changes in the law bring about changes in society. While this conventional conception dominates much research and can be helpful for the purpose of analyzing the direct effects of social movement law reform,4 it misses several important

  • Word count: 14621
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Physical Sciences
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Identify the underpinning philosophy of Coastal Zone Management and will discuss how the UK is adopting this policy at a governmental level.

In this essay the author will identify the underpinning philosophy of Coastal Zone Management and will discuss how the UK is adopting this policy at a governmental level. The author will use quotes, examples, and definitions where appropriate. "Coasts are dynamic interface zones involving the meeting of the atmosphere, land and sea" (Viles, H and Spencer, T 1995:3) This quote highlights that coasts are in a constant rhythm of adjustment due to natural processes. The tools that shape the coasts include waves, tides and currents, which cause sediment movement to occur, giving rise to erosional or depositional coastal features (Viles, H and Spencer, T). In addition, the geomorphology of the land may give rise to 'hard' and 'soft' rock coastlines. Coasts are also home to unique ecosystems, for instance dune and saltmarsh ecosystems and it is possible to find unique species within these regions. Grasses such as Glasswort and Marram Grass can found as well as many birds such as Curlews and Little Egrets. (RSPB, 2005) Viles and Spencer's quote does not mention the interface with humans. This addition of another factor creates an even more dynamic coastline that is affected by human influences. Thus the coast, with the addition of humans, is often referred to as the 'Coastal Zone'. This is defined as: "...the combination of natural features and human activities which may interact

  • Word count: 3085
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Physical Sciences
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Deforestation, Reforestation and Afforestation

Deforestation, Reforestation and Afforestation Deforestation, the large-scale removal of forest, prior to its replacement by other land uses. It is proceeding at about 17 million hectares each year (170,000 sq km or 65,000 sq mi, an area larger than England, Wales, and Northern Ireland combined). Between 1980 and 1990, annual deforestation rates were 1.2 per cent in Asia and the Pacific, 0.8 per cent in Latin America, and 0.7 per cent in Africa. Forest area is generally stable in Europe and North America, although the rate of transition from old-growth forest to other forms in North America is controversially high. Deforestation may be distinguished from forest degradation, which is a reduction in forest quality. The two are linked, and result in several problems. They cause soil erosion and watershed destabilization, resulting in flooding or drought. They reduce biodiversity (the range of habitat, species, and genetic types), particularly significant in tropical forests that are home too much of the world's bio-diversity. Deforestation affects the livelihoods of between 200 and 500 million people who depend on forests for their food, shelter, and fuel. Deforestation and degradation may contribute to regional and global climate imbalances. Forests play a major role in carbon storage; with their removal, excessive carbon dioxide in the atmosphere may lead to global warming,

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  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Physical Sciences
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Analysis of the documentary "The Great Global Warming Swindle".

Document Analysis: The Great Global Warming Swindle PO1006 with Professor Oleg Kobtzeff Anya Verkamp ________________ The Great Global Warming Swindle is a documentary produced in 2007 which argues the nonexistence of anthropogenic climate change. It seeks to poke holes in scientific evidence for climate change while illustrating the political and ideological motivations that fuel the myth of its existence. In the wake of the convincing nature of the recently released An Inconvenient Truth it provoked diverse reactions as being a strong alternative argument. Much critique of the soundness of its scientific claims has arisen since its release, as has backlash from people interviewed for the film. The film was made by British television producer Martin Durkin for Channel 4 Television Corporation. Durkin has produced several anti-environmental documentaries in the past for Channel 4 including Against Nature and The Rise and Fall of GM, both with anti-environmental themes. After the release of both films interviewees came out complaining that they had been misinformed on the approach of the documentaries and that their statements had been taken out of context by only showing snippets of their full interviews. There were some 151 complaints filed about Against Nature with 4 of these upheld, and Channel 4 was ordered to issue an apology for taking the interviewees statements

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  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Physical Sciences
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Systematically review and critically evaluate the current protection measures available for nature conservation in the UK

Systematically review and critically evaluate the current protection measures available for nature conservation in the UK The World Conservation Strategy in 1980 defined conservation as the ‘management of the human use of the biosphere so that it may yield the greatest sustainable benefit to present generations while maintaining its potential to meet the needs and aspirations of future generations’ (Gilpin,2000:54). There are four country nature conservation agencies in the UK. They are Natural England, the Scottish Natural Heritage and the Countryside Council for Wales and the Council for Nature Conservation and the Countryside (Northern Ireland). These four country agencies deliver their statutory responsibilities via the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC). Nature conservation strategies in the UK aim to conserve biodiversity and geodiversity. Biodiversity refers to the variability among living organisms from all sources including, inter alia, terrestrial, marine and other aquatic ecosystems and the ecological complexes of which they are part; this includes diversity within species, between species and of ecosystems (CBD,1992 cited in Duffy,2007) Biodiversity has social, ethical, cultural, and economic values (McNeely et al, 1990; Harrison, 2009).It also provides invaluable ecosystem services like regulation of climate, purification of water, air quality

  • Word count: 3300
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Physical Sciences
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This Community Research Project is aimed at examining Barangay Nazareths waste management system in the city of Cagayan de Oro.

WASTE MANAGEMENT IN BARANGAY NAZARETH, CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY Submitted by: Achaia D. Bais Princess Grace G. Esmedina Isha Grace Q. Vallinas Karrah Kshatria B. Seronay Prairie Anne B. Villamor Krissie Laine R. Odchigue Vanessa E. Mosqueda Irish Tiffany Cornelio Submitted to: Mrs. Laarni Presidente-Pacamalan Date: September 28, 2010 Room: STC 401 Section: PSC 10.1- BC Time: 5:40PM –6:55PM (TTh) Rationale/Background of the Study Historically, the amount of wastes generated by human population was insignificant mainly due to the low population densities, coupled with the fact there was very little exploitation of natural resources. Common wastes produced during the early ages were mainly ashes and human & biodegradable wastes, and these were released back into the ground locally, with minimal environmental impact. With the advent of industrial revolution, waste management became a critical issue. This was due to the increase in population and the massive migration of people to industrial towns and cities from rural areas during the 18th century. There was a consequent increase in industrial and domestic wastes posing threat to human health and environment. The increasing industrialization and fast growth does not only pose problems related to the allocation of

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  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Physical Sciences
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Should humans should be responsible for preserving endangered species and natural resources?

Haines ________________ Marina Haines December 1, 2012 ENG-121 The survival of humanity has always been dependent on functioning ecosystems and our natural resources. In the past hunter/gatherer societies had a low population density and were largely nomadic which gave the environment time to replenish and regenerated any resources that were used. As the population increased and humanity advanced, resources were depleted faster with less time for recovery. The species Homo sapiens is unprecedented and unparalleled among all life on Earth in that it’s sentience and intelligence far exceeds those of other creatures. As such it is only natural to question if humans should be responsible for preserving endangered species and natural resources. In Our Vanishing Wildlife Theodore Roosevelt stated: “We are, as a whole, still in that low state of civilization where we do not understand that it is also vandalism wantonly to destroy or permit the destruction of what is beautiful in nature, whether it be a cliff, a forest, or a species of mammal or bird. Here in the United States we turn our rivers and streams into sewers and dumping-grounds, we pollute the air, we destroy forests and exterminate fishes, birds and mammals' not to speak of vulgarizing charming landscapes with hideous advertisement” (In the Words…) Even though President Roosevelt brought these

  • Word count: 2140
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Physical Sciences
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"The tropical rainforest is the most complex ecosystem on Earth, yet human use of this precious resource does not reflect its ecological importance and immense biodiversity." Discuss.

Lee Ka Ying Janice GEOG 1016 Nature Conservation for Sustainable Societies 3rd Written Exercise: Essay Question Attempted: 4 "The tropical rainforest is the most complex ecosystem on Earth, yet human use of this precious resource does not reflect its ecological importance and immense biodiversity." Discuss. Tropical rainforest is a valuable natural resource with the most complex ecosystem on the Earth. Its importance to the global ecosystem and humanis extremely paramount. They are located in low-latitudes areas near the Equator, between the Tropic of Cancer (23.5ºN) and the Tropic of Capricorn (23.5ºS). The majority is lying between 10ºN to 10ºS, commonly found in Brazil, Democratic Republic of Congo and South-east Asia(Figure 1). For the sake of its environmental opportunities available, human carry out large-scale deforestation by cutting and burning the forests to open up more land for development. This threatens the ecology and biodiversity drastically. Figure 1. Distribution of Tropical Rainforest (Source: www.mongabay.com) . Ecosystem of Tropical Rainforests Ecosystem refers to the interaction and inter-connection of energy and matter between biotic components (living organisms) and abiotic components (non-living organisms) (Loreau, M.,Naeem, S. andInchausti, P. 2002). A change in one component will lead to a series of chain effects on the other. Tropical

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  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Physical Sciences
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Plan an experiment to compare the water potentials (Ø) of beetroot, potato and turnip.

Mark Acquaye 87 Brookscroft Road Walthamstow E17 4JP 7 May, 2007 The Editor Waltham Forest Guardian 34 Highams Park E4 5QW Dear Sir or Madam: I am writiting this letter to discuss the rersu Sincerely, ? Page 2 May 7,

  • Word count: 40
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Physical Sciences
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