One school of thought holds that economic development is of paramount importance to the elimination of poverty and hunger. Others are of the opinion that this practice may exert negative influences on the environment. From my perspective, I believe that financial thriving and the environment can be mutually beneficial to each other.
On the one hand, advocates of economic growth in terms of diminishing poverty and hunger. They say when a nation experiences financial development, it generally leads to abundant coffers, allowing the state to allocate more to social welfare, along with the reduction of taxes to lessen financial strain on citizens. This financial abundance empowers them to provide more nutritious products to those suffering from poverty and hunger, thereby lifting communities out of starvation and poverty. However, this cannot eliminate these issues completely if corruption and wealth inequality are left unaddressed. The grants for these individuals are embezzled, especially during a disaster or disease, which, after all, can even perpetuate this poor status instead of improving it.
On the other end of the spectrum, there are justifications for why some believe that economic thriving can be detrimental to the environment. They claim that financial flourishing often stems from widespread urbanization and the appearance of industrial areas as resources to be used to boost the economy. As this urbanization and industry expand, they can cause potential deterioration through pollution due to a significant decrease in the number of trees, which not only degrades the environment but also destroys ecosystems and natural habitats. However, economic growth does not always cause environmental degradation. In fact, countries such as Denmark and Sweden, though thriving economically, still maintain a green environment due to significant investment in green power, coupled with the transformation of waste into energy for consumption. This policy not only brings a greener environment but also acts as a powerful source of support for economic development.
Upon weighing both views, I would contend that it is flawed to decouple economic growth from environmental degradation, arguing that economic development and the environment can mutually support each other, as characterized by countries such as Denmark and Sweden. Ultimately, with suitable policies, a nation can systematically lift its population out of destitution and hunger while simultaneously safeguarding its ecosystems.