evs3

UNIT-1 LECTURE-8
FACTORS AFFECTING HUMAN-ENVIRONMENT RELATIONSHIP

Factors responsible for changing human-nature relationship are as follows:
Growing human population: There are many determinants such as population trends, types of
technology levels used, and distribution of income among the masses which are responsible for
changing man-nature relationship. The addition of population demands development, these very
developments increase the resource consumption, and pollution is likely to affect the population
through increased death rate. The rate at which the reduction in global population takes place will
depend on the environmental deterioration and impact on human health.
Economic development: Such development is multifaceted. The rise is population puts pressure
on agriculture for increased food production, shelter for better living heath and educational
facilities, and efficient transport for mobility. The development of these causes exploitation of
natural resources such as land, water, and minerals. This also leads to energy crises and higher oil
prices. The raw materials are exported from the developing countries such as India and in turn,
expensive finished goods get imported, upsetting the economic and ecological balance.
Consumption of natural resources: The degree of consumption of the natural resources is neither
uniform at all places nor prices at the same level. The regions of plenty raw material experience
environmental degradation due to deforestation and soil erosion, making the land less fertile,
whereas the places where the processing of the raw material takes place, bear the crunches of
industrial pollution and waste accumulation.
Health Hazards: Environmental pollution is directly linked to human health hazards. Pollution of
land water and air ultimately affect the living organisms. Manifestation of several diseases at
varying places differs in its severity depending upon their climatic factors, including temperature,
wing, humidity etc. Similarly, people living in different places with varying environments are
affected differently. New drugs are being found everyday.
MEASURES FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
The idea of sustainable development was the keyword during the last three decades and most
actions today are aimed at eliminating some unsustainable trend of from of behaviour such as our
rapidly -growing population, the destruction of renewable resources, or steady increase in levels
of pollution. To accomplish this, various important measures for sustainable development have
been envisaged. Some of the measures have been discussed as follows:
• Implementing effective planning for population control
• Reducing per-capita demand of natural resources
• Using efficient technological devices
• Following the three Rs (reduce, reuse, and recycle) approach
• Promoting environmental awareness through education
• Using effective planning for regeneration of natural resources
PROBLEMS OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Disagreements between stake holders: In a society, there exist many stakeholders such as men,
women, children, youth, non-governmental organizations, local authorities, workers and trade
unions, and agricultural and technological communities. Before implementing any decision, all
theses stakeholders have to be considered. Each of these stakeholders has different priorities and
hence it is extremely difficult for all to agree upon a common goal of sustainable development.
Uncertainty: There is always an uncertainty regarding different global environment issues and the
manner in which they interact with the global ecosystem. There is also uncertainty regarding how
the implementation of new policies will affect the normal functioning of the biosphere.
Consumption and Lifestyle: Level of consumption and lifestyles of different people of the area
are upheld in any programme to achieve sustainable development. Developing countries aspire to
achieve a more comfortable living standard. Any rise in living standards in developing countries
should be counter-balanced by lowering the ecological footprints of developed countries.

evs3

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

evs3

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

evs3

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

UNIT-1 LECTURE-8

FACTORS AFFECTING HUMAN-ENVIRONMENT RELATIONSHIP

You might also like