{"id":3406,"date":"2016-04-20T19:02:36","date_gmt":"2016-04-20T23:02:36","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.shu.edu\/diplomacy\/?p=3406"},"modified":"2016-04-20T19:02:36","modified_gmt":"2016-04-20T23:02:36","slug":"can-economic-growth-and-sustainability-coexist","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.shu.edu\/journalofdiplomacy\/2016\/04\/can-economic-growth-and-sustainability-coexist\/","title":{"rendered":"Can Economic Growth and Sustainability Coexist?"},"content":{"rendered":"

The World Economic Forum<\/a> makes the claim that climate change is one of the ten biggest challenges facing the globe. As more nations develop, our global carbon footprint<\/a> increases as well. However, new economies and growing markets need not contribute to carbon emissions as they once did.\u00a0 With today\u2019s tools and technologies, it has become possible to enable and sustain economic growth without an increase in CO2 emissions.<\/p>\n

Unfortunately, developing economies are not as concerned with the environment and consumption of natural resources as they face environmental problems directly related to poverty<\/a>.\u00a0 Due to inadequate sewage systems, lack of clean drinking water, and living in unsanitary conditions, conservation measures tend to be the last of their worries<\/a>.<\/p>\n

One wonders how we can raise the standard of living in developing countries while still being concerned for the environment as well.\u00a0 Perhaps the answer lies in last year\u2019s announcement by the International Energy Agency (IEA).\u00a0 The IEA<\/a> showed there has \u201cbeen a decoupling of economic growth and carbon dioxide emissions in 2014.\u201d This was \u201cthe first time in 40 years in which there was a halt or reduction in emissions of the greenhouse gas that was not<\/em> tied to an economic downturn<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n

This is important because previously there was a tight link between economic growth and the consumption of more energy<\/a>. This argument was also often used by many developed countries and economies to justify their large emissions rates. \u00a0This was the case that some economists claimed that economic growth was \u201cincompatible with environmental protections<\/a>, leaving others hopeless that conservation was possible while further industrializing under-developed countries.<\/p>\n

The IEA<\/a> reports that several factors were involved in creating this change: China shifting to more to renewable sources of energy; OECD countries utilizing advanced renewable energy, combined with more energy efficiency; and a decline in United States energy usage (more energy efficient cars, refrigerators, electricity, etc.). This shows that though countries may be\u00a0highly developed, they can<\/em> reduce their energy consumption and remain successful.<\/p>\n

The decline of U.S. energy consumption on a per capita basis and in relation to the GDP. Credit: Energy Information Administration<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Add this to the fact that many countries in Scandinavia are over-achieving and emitting far below their allotted emission levels.\u00a0 Sweden<\/a>, for example, has committed more than half of it\u2019s national energy supply to renewables, and less than 1% of Sweden\u2019s trash ends up in landfills, though they produce the same amount of waste<\/a> as other European countries.<\/p>\n

Many underdeveloped countries are heavily in debt, and any \u201cattempt at conservation and environmental protection must be linked to economic development and debt relief<\/a>.\u201d If developed nations created incentives and subsidized environmental programs to improve living conditions, then developing nations would be able to focus more on environmental sustainability.\u00a0 As Global Digital Central states, \u201cUnless richer countries are willing to subsidize poorer countries to carry out environmental programs, the situation will deteriorate even further and the environment will suffer<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n

The old argument of “we’re big so we use more energy” is no longer a viable excuse, and our world will not be able to sustain this mentality. \u00a0\u00a0There are now proven means to reduce energy consumption. \u00a0We now see the beginning of a decrease of carbon dioxide emissions as economies grow<\/a>, thus, we know that it is possible to conserve and develop. Developed countries can invest in better technology for themselves as well as invest in under-developed nations to improve their quality of life; thus focusing all nations towards a more sustainable future.\u00a0 While no small task, there are means to develop and become competitive while also using alternative, more effective, and more sustainable forms of energy, leaving hope for there to be less poverty and<\/em> less pollution.<\/p>\n

—<\/p>\n

Dominique Di Marzio<\/b> is the Executive Editor for the Journal of Diplomacy and International Relations. She is in her final year of pursuing a dual MA in Diplomacy & International Relations and Strategic Communications at Seton Hall University. \u00a0Her specializations include global negotiation & conflict management and post-conflict reconstruction. \u00a0<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Follow Dominique on Twitter:\u00a0@dimarz32<\/p>\n

Follow the Journal of Diplomacy on Twitter:\u00a0@JournalofDiplo<\/p>\n

–<\/p>\n

Image via\u00a0Shutterstock<\/strong><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

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