Read the passage given below and then answer the questions given below the passage. Some words may be highlighted for your attention. Read carefully. The environment and natural resources in the developed and developing nations have come under intense pressure during the past four decades. Natural
Read the passage given below and then answer the questions given below the passage. Some words may be highlighted for your attention. Read carefully.
The environment and natural resources in the developed and developing nations have come under intense pressure during the past four decades. Natural resource-based livelihoods have been compromised, People's health and longevity have suffered, and ecosystem services and resources that underpin long-term economic development are at risk. Moreover, Asia's economic growth has been accompanied by resource depletion and environmental degradation, economic well being, threatening the physical security, and health of many of the region's people, especially its poorest and most vulnerable.
The poor take the brunt of misuse of environmental resources such as water or air pollution or the disposal of human and industrial waste in urban areas. In many large cities, this rapid urbanization has outpaced the development of environmental infrastructure. The poor and disadvantaged are especially vulnerable to natural hazards. The elimination of poverty and economic growth are distinct from environmental goals, It is generally assumed. Market and policy failures have led to environmental considerations being externalized from the development process.
The way to resolve the dilemma between economic growth and environmental sustainability is to change the character of growth. Economic growth should no longer be based on activities that increase pollution and the consumption of finite resources, but on activities that further sustainable development. The latter would be of major importance for increasing food production and raising farm incomes, especially in poor countries. It also involves improvement in the world's economic and social infrastructure. With economic infrastructure, the emphasis would be on improving transport and communications in both rich and poor countries. Work on the world's social infrastructure would focus on urban renewal, building low-income housing and, in poor countries, improving fresh water supply and sanitation.
In an environmentally sustainable manner, Technical research on the substitution of non-renewable resources, recycling, and raising agricultural production would be of key importance. Environmental measures and infrastructural development would have an enormous economic impact. A global program would create huge numbers of jobs and allow lower and middle level incomes to rise for sustainable development. The environmental guidelines should set international standards for pollution and the use of nonrenewable natural resources. The combined proposal of a bottom line in trade and a global investment program for sustainable development would mean a new strategy for economic development. Today's strategy is to generate economic growth through increased international trade.
Industrialization is central to economic development and improved prospects for human well-being. If industrial development is to become more environmentally sound, three transitions must be completed.
- Environmental considerations must be incorporated into all aspects of planning for new industry.
- Techniques must be developed which more easily and flexibly control pollution within a legal framework that provides strong incentives, particularly economic incentives, to minimize the release of pollutants and the production of waste, and which places greater emphasis on the "polluter pays" principle.
- Producers of hazardous products should be required to be responsible for those products "from cradle to grave", i.e. from production to safe disposal.
According to the passage, which of the following statements would the author most agree with?
1). Environmental quality becomes important only after basic needs such as food and housing are met.
2). In the case of global pollutants such as carbon dioxide, there is not enough evidence that its levels start falling after countries become richer.
3).
Some economists claim that economic growth was “incompatible with environmental protections," leaving others hopeless that conservation was possible while further industrializing under-developed countries.
4). There are some business leaders who think that, at least in the developing countries, the environmental regulations tend to inhibit economic growth and thus, it is better to wait.
