ECON 216: ECONOMY OF GHANA II SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND THE ENVIRONMENT

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1 ECON 216: ECONOMY OF GHANA II SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND THE

2 The relationship between sustained growth and the environment. For most developing countries the objective of achieving sustained economic growth conflicts with the need to protect the environment.

3 Many developing countries, Ghana inclusive, rely on environmental resources/assets in achieving growth. Environmental resources/assets include land (arable land, minerals, water bodies, etc), forests, atmosphere, biodiversity and biomass.

4 Central to the issue is whether the quest for rapid economic transformation and prosperity leads to the destruction of the environment. This is because in recent decades many economic activities in Ghana have resulted in the degradation of the environment!

5 The effects of logging, especially illegal logging

6 The effects of forest fires, used as a means of clearing land for agricultural activities

7 The effects of cattle grazing

8 The effects of cattle grazing

9 The effects of cattle grazing

10 Charcoal production is another cause of forest degradation

11 Another cause of environmental destruction is that of illegal mining activities - galamsey

12 Another cause of environmental destruction is that of illegal mining activities - galamsey

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14 In the light of the effects of economic (as well as human) activities on the environment, how then can environmental concerns be integrated into the process of economic development?

15 This leads us to the concept of sustainable development. But first, what of economic development? Improving living standards and the wellbeing of the people Improving health and education standards

16 Reducing infant and maternal mortality Improving nutritional status Ensuring inclusiveness, broadening participation, and equality of opportunity Enhancing political and civil rights

17 Nevertheless, economic development cannot take place with sustained economic growth (measured by growth in GDP/GNP). Whilst economic growth is essential for development, it is a highly imperfect measure.

18 Sustainable development: this is development that takes into consideration future generations. In other words incorporates the needs of future generations by undertaking actions that do not undermine their ability to achieve growth and development.

19 Sustainable development: thus, a specific concern with sustainable development is that those who enjoy the fruits of economic development today may be making future generations worse off by excessively degrading the earth s resources and polluting the earth s environment.

20 Sustainable development: the World Commission on Environment and Development in its 1987 publication, Our Common Future, provided the official definition of sustainable development, which has informed Ghana s definition of the concept.

21 Sustainable development: it defined it as one in which the current generation are able to meet their needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

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25 The United Nations new development drive for the world, especially developing countries is anchored on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). For more on this follow this link to explore: menu=1300

26 In essence, sustainable development is a pattern of resource use that aims to meet human needs whilst preserving the environment so that these needs can be met not only in the present, but also in the indefinite future.

27 As we saw earlier in one of the images, sustainable development now has FIVE Ps, which are incorporated in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

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