Question

Discuss some of the social and ecological costs of the kind of development which has been pursued in most countries.

Answer 1

Social costs of development

• A large number of people have been displaced from their homes and localities due to industrialisation.

• Displacement causes loss of livelihood and increased impoverishment along with the destruction of local culture and community life.

• Displacement of rural agricultural communities has resulted in an increased number of urban and rural poor and has brought them into the category of marginalised people.

• It is responsible for many struggles and social disorganisation.

Ecological costs of development

• The present model of development is dependent upon increasing the use of energy and is a major cause of environmental degradation.

• Consumption of fossil fuels to meet energy requirements is also a major cause of pollution as well as depletion of natural resources.

• Global warming has increased due to the emission of pollutant gases from industries.

• Icebergs of polar regions are melting due to global warming. This would cause flooding and submergence of low lying areas like Bangladesh and the Maldives.

• Developmental projects have resulted in deforestation, which has created the problem of the greenhouse effect, scarcity of firewood, medicinal herbs, and food, affecting poor people.

• Rivers and ponds are dry up and the level of groundwater has decreased.