Economy and environment

Whether for a country or a social group, economy serves as a solid bedrock of its institution, community and cultural communication, which is associated with Karl Marx’s perspective that “Economic base determines the superstructure.” Hundreds of thousand years, people have been exploring effective methods and initiating technological reforms to boost economic development, accumulate considerable wealth and create commercial value.

Seemingly, the target has been shot. The technology revolution, especially in the Information Age, has created “sovereign individuals”——individuals who are empowered because they have access to new learning opportunities; are able to share their ideas, sell services or products directly to others. As for artificial Intelligence, the most eye-catching technology, is the study and engineering of intelligent machines capable of performing the same kinds of functions that characterize human thought. The advanced technology and exchange of up-to-date information that fuel the high-speed economy.

Nevertheless, high-speed economy is not equal with high-quality economy. According to a survey published on Scientific American, 60% respondents believed that their living standards are out of proportion with economic growth and 40% contended that the deteriorating environmental condition is responsible for it.

Environmental problems arise both directly and indirectly from people’s social institutions, social behavior and cultural values, otherwise, economy regarded as the culprit of top issues include deforestation, global warming, biodiversity loss and hazardous waste inevitably. Conditions of population growth, affluence and poverty, technological and industrial development, domestic and international economic activities, and patterns of consumption all effect the use and abuse of land, energy resources and natural resources such as plants and animals, as well as the quality of soil, water and air.

From the <u>foregoing</u> discussion, it is plausible that economy and environment are competitors. As a matter of fact, it is we human beings that play a decisive role in balancing the relationship of both sides. On the one hand, nature, going through millions of years of evolution, has developed into a perfect dynamic balance, which works as a foundation for the economic development. On the other hand, economy would come to stagnation without natural resources involve water, timber and fossil fuel.

Based on above reasons, economists and environmentalists have proposed the principle of “sustainable development”, a widespread recognition accepted by society and individuals. If economy can be enhanced in consistent with the principle of protecting environment, environment is exploited reasonably and scientifically, we will manage to benefit from the harmonious balance of environment and economy.