In this modern era, despite building a strong country being an essential part of development, several arguments remain about whether prioritizing factors such as economic growth is more important. This essay will discuss both viewpoints and present my own opinion.
On the one hand, protecting the environment should be prioritized. Firstly, air pollution, water, and noise in cities are becoming increasingly serious. Therefore, it directly affects public health. For example, cities like Hanoi or Beijing suffer from severe fine dust pollution, which harms respiratory health. Secondly, long-term growth depends on taking care of the environment. If we only focus on quick economic gains and ignore the environment, it will cause big problems in the future. For instance, city floods and landslides happen because there are many buildings and not enough parks.
On the other hand, economic development should be put at the top of the priority. To begin with, strong economic development will create money to help the environment. It will allow for building parks for people to enjoy. It will also enable the creation of systems to clean dirty water. Plus, it will support clean energy projects to cut down on pollution. Singapore balances economic growth with environmental protection thanks to its financial capacity. Additionally, economic growth leads to more jobs and better living conditions. This can help people become more aware of protecting the environment. For example, building better roads and public transport can reduce traffic jams and pollution when eco-friendly options are used.
Some people think protecting the environment is most important, while others believe economic growth is key. A balanced approach is best, but right now, we should focus on the environment in the city planning to protect public health. Cities should aim for a “green economy” that combines growth with sustainability.