Industrial proliferation and environmental preservation Referred by Dr

Industrial proliferation and environmental preservation Referred by Dr Ajay Kumar Mishra PG 4 th Semester, EC 2 (Group B) Industrial Economics II

Introduction �The purpose of economic development in any region is to provide opportunities for improved living and jobs to people. �Industrialization, while important for the economic growth and development of a society, can also be harmful to the environment. �Amongst other things industrial process can cause climate change, pollution to air, water and soil, health issues, extinction of species, and more. �With industries operating, a total pollution-free environment is a myth. It is neither possible nor necessary.

Main Issues in paradox of Industrial Development and Environmental Preservation Air Pollution �Industrial emissions deemed hazardous to the environment include asbestos, dioxin, methylene chloride, perchlorethylene and metals like lead and chromium. �factories, oil refineries, coal-fired power plants, steel mills, dry cleaners and chromium electroplating facilities are among the worst air polluters. �Transport sector emits toxic benzene and toluene from fuel oil in the air.

Water Pollution �Industrial toxins enter the water supply in gaseous, liquid or solid form. For example, pollution from smokestacks falls as acid rain on land water. �Highly toxic waste from incinerators is deposited in landfills where it can leach into ground water. �Inadequately treated waste water from paper mills can release pollutants into rivers. �About 70 percent of industrial waste generated in developing countries is dumped untreated into waterways, as reported by National Geographic.

Soil Contamination �Industrial waste often contains heavy metals that pollute urban soil and cropland, e. g, lead is the most common toxin found. �Soil becomes contaminated when toxic industrial emissions fall as precipitation. �Other sources include improperly lined industrial landfills, mining tailings and chemicals spilled during transport. �Most heavy metals don’t degrade like carbon-based materials, making soil decontamination difficult and very costly.

Habitat Destruction �Reduced species biodiversity can occur when the ecosystem is disrupted by urban expansion and industrialization. �Modern day examples include displacement of birds and animals by gravel pits, strip mines, industrial explosions, road construction, oil spills and proliferating factories. �Global warming can render an area inhospitable to certain species of flora or fauna.

Development and Eco-preservation Can indutrialisation –led growth process and environmental preservation be possible simultaneously? To answer it we can consider two theoretical possibilities 1) Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) � hypothesis which suggests that as per capita income grows, the increase in environmental impact hits the maximum and thereafter declines. � According to the hypothesis, in the initial stages of economic growth, when more resources are used, there is greater waste generation and more emissions. � But when a country has achieved a certain level of development, pollution reduces with greater protection of the environment, technological improvements, diversification of the economy from manufacturing to services, and increasing scarcity and prices of environmental resources, leading to lower consumption.

2) Sustainable Development �Economic development that is conducted without depletion of natural resources. �that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. �It focuses to bring out alternate path of development from the very beginning. �No growth possibilities are explored which are not replenishable of non-renewable resources in near future.

Home Assignment �Discuss other alternative paths of development which does not harm environment. �Can you suggest some practices of your locality in which development with eco-preservation is observed?

�References � 1) https: //www. thehindu. com/opinion/op-ed/thecost-of-pollution/article 23732017. ece � 2) https: //www. thehindu. com/opinion/oped/Growth-versusenvironment/article 15293220. ece � 3)https: //www. downtoearth. org. in/blog/environ ment/environmental-concern-amidstindustrialisation-57349