Environmental+Sustainability

Overview: In the many slums of the world it is not uncommon to notice that poverty and environmental degradation come hand in hand. There seems to be a belief that environmental concerns need to be sacrificed in developing countries in order to best attack poverty. These issues, however, should be addressed simultaneously in order to efficiently tackle the problems. Often poor environmental quality can exacerbate the current circumstances of poverty in a community. Sometimes the only water source in a community is a polluted stream that can carry deadly diseases that can destroy an entire community. The non-existent infrastructure in these communities transforms these water sources from a lifeline into a hazard. When a community does not have a place for trash and human waste the local river often sufices. In shanty towns like these, water sources are often heavily polluted. The lack of modern waste disposal techniques and infastructure results in this type of degredation.

Case Studies: 1.  One of the most noteworthy places where poverty and environmental degradation coexist is in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Once a place that was full of pristine natural wealth has been entirly trashed over the last 40 years. The extreme poverty in existence in the country has brought on a decline in the once bountiful natural life in the region. Endemic hunger has caused many Congolese to over hunt important species of the region, such as monkeys and crocodiles. The violence that has accompanied the poverty in the region results in about 1,200 deaths per day. The Congo River and its tributaries have been used as gravesites when there are too many bodies to bury. This paired with the enormous amounts of trash dumped into the Congo make it nearly impossible for poor communities to access safe water. Poverty in the DRC has resulted in major poaching problems. The large mamals of the central rainforest are targeted for their meat and for the profits their pelt will collect. There is concern that the world's reamaining population of Moutain Gorillas will soon fall to extinction due to poaching.  2. The massive amount of third world debt has resulted in over production of resources in order to pay off these debts. Deforestation is one way that the environment has been sacrificed in order to pay off debt. These maps show the relation between poverty and deforestation. The areas with high poverty correspond with areas where major deforestation has occured.

Solutions: The worlds poor care more about surviving day to day than about their impact on their surroundings (this is rightfully so). In order to prevent futher deterioration of the environment, which then breeds more poverty, we must provide basic hygenic infastucture. Building latrines would keep rivers clean while also preventing the spread of diseases. This measure would provide more clean water to communities in need.

In most poor communities, their is no formal waste trash collection resulting in littering that contaminates water supplies. By improving the waste managment systems around the world we could improve the environment while creating jobs.

In order to protect against deforestation and poaching, more parks and preservations should be established. Instead of striping the land of it plant and animal life, we should promote suistainable, agricultural methods that promise economic success in the future, not just today.

Works Consulted:
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 * Blood River by Tim Butcher

Picture Citations:
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Eradicating Hunger Achieving Universal Education Empowering Women Poverty and Health Insuring Environmental Sustainability Developing a Global Partnership for Development Basic Costs Demographics