Economic development is highly characterized by industrialization and overpopulation. Developing nations are more vulnerable when it comes to environmental problems than developed nations. Most of the developers who assist in local growth are foreigners who are less concerned, or ignorant about the effects that their actions have on environment. The end results are that the developing economies achieve their target but are coped with environmental problems, which eventually pull the growth levels down.
Development implies use of natural resources like land, water, and air for human activities. This implies deforestation, which has adverse effects on soil fertility, air pollution, and compromised quality of water. Such industries release toxic wastes into the air, water and adjacent lands leading to pollution. Agricultural production is affected by such pollutants, aquatic life decreases, and there develops human ailments. Development has also been credited to urbanization. Most developing economies have high levels of urban population whilst the rural areas are scarcely occupied. The effects are congestion, lack of proper housing, which connects to growth of slums and airborne diseases.
The governments in developing economies focus more into economic development, and forget about how human activities contribute to environmental degradation. These governments are ignorant of global warming effects, acidic rain, crop production, and decline in health status and mortality rates, which are effects of environmental degradation. The problem is not on the level of environmental degradation that these activities have, but on the solutions to reduce or cope with the adversities. Most of the governments do not have sufficient funds, and policy measures to cope with industrialization. This implies continued environmental effects, which add to economic problem rather than solve the development issue.
Curbing population growth in developing nations.
Population growth should be cut down in developing countries, if economic development is to be achieved. This may seem to be a violation of individual reproductive rights, but it is the only solution to curb poverty, and increase economic growth levels. Some of the measures that may be used in curbing population may include compulsory use of family planning methods to reduce birth rates, legislative measures against migration, and women empowerment.
The use of family planning method would ensure a reduction in population momentum, and enhance equal distribution of economic resources. This would ensure that every child receives attention from the government as opposed to having many children thus compromising on qualities of health care, education and social amenities. A clear example can be traced in US, India, and China where the governments have pushed on the use of contraceptives so that each family bears not more than three children. With such a measure these governments have ensured observance of child rights, proper education, and job availability.
Putting measures on migration, which push against rural urban migration my imply a reduction in urban population, or having an accommodative budget for urban dwellers. This would ensure reduced rates of consumption, skewed developments, and unequal currency transfers. By educating women there in would be creation of awareness and empowerment in society. Educating women would imply focus on employment, investments and development. This would create awareness on the effects that overpopulation has on women health, and empower them on how to manage and acquire resources that can be used in maintaining their families. These measures may act against human and reproductive rights, but they would provide a sustainable solution needed in developing nations.
