What are the challenges faced by the environment as an economy increases in a region?

A developed economy leads to increased employment rates, an increase in the standard of living, an enhancement in tax revenues, and better public services. The development of the economy of a nation or region is often associated with an increase in the development of land and the production of goods.  Adverse effects of an increase in the development of land and an increase in industrialization are briefly explained below.

Development of Land

An increase in the economy will require an increase in commercial development. Likewise, as an economy increases in a region, people will want to live in newer homes. Thus, an increase in a region’s economy is often associated with an increase in the development of the region’s land.

The development of land can have adverse effects on the environment. One of the most immediate consequences of deforestation is erosion. Erosion is the movement of soil to a new location. Without the roots of the trees to hold the soil in place, the soil becomes free and loose to move by wind, animals, or rain. This movement of the earth can cause the forestry that does remain in a deforested location to become unsettled. The unsettlement of these trees could affect their root systems and prevent the trees from absorbing the needed nutrients. Even worse, the trees may become so unsettled that they fall and die.

When deforestation occurs, the habitat(s) of many organisms is disheveled. Thus, deforestation can also cause a decrease in the biodiversity as the organisms move to other habitats in order to survive.

Increased Industrialization

A developed economy is able to compete with other countries in the manufacturing of goods. Thus, an increased production of goods is often associated with economic development. Industrialization can have an adverse effect on the environment because factories may emit pollutants into the air or water.