Epilogue - Beyond Pollution Control and Prevention: Sustainable Development

Abstract

Currently several environmental problems face both industrialized and developing nations. These include (1) chemical pollution, (2) climate change, (3) resource and energy depletion, and (4) the loss of biodiversity and ecosystem integrity. While often addressed separately, all four of these environmental problems are related to advancing industrialization, population growth, and the globalization of production and commerce. Societies that produce and consume more also tend to deplete more natural resources, create more pollution, produce more greenhouse gases, and have a relatively greater adverse impact on the ecosystem. In addition, the interconnectedness of nations through globalization has produced ‘‘lock-in’’ of, and dependence on, a particular development model. We believe that this model needs thoughtful reexamination.