Effects of Rapid Economic Growth on the Environment

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Moreover, economic growth has a negative effect on biodiversity. First, climate change caused by economic growth will lead to loss of species. 65% of the increase in greenhouse gas in the air is related to economic growth and climate change is a result of this greenhouse gas emissions (Canadell et al., 2007, in Rosales, 2008). Specifically, 1 centigrade increase in temperature may cause a maximum 30% increase in the possibility of extinction and more than 40% of all species may lost when temperature raises 4 centigrade (IPCC, 2007a,in Rosales, 2008 ). Second, some species became extinct through deforestation due to economic growth. People need abundant natural resources to produce more goods therefore they deforest for many purposes, such as turning the forest into agriculture land for infrastructure development. About 0.5% (Pimm et al., 1995, in Mills & Waite, 2009) to 2% (Rosenweig, 2003, in Mills & Waite, 2009) of all species will become extinct because of tropical deforestation, and 50% of all species will suffer from extinction in the future (Pimm & Raven,2000; Myers & Knoll,2001, in Mills & Waite, 2009). From 1990 to 2000, 4.2% of Venezuela’s forest disappeared, Brazil and Gabon also lost 4.1% and 0.5% of their forest respectively (FAO,2001, in Mills & Waite, 2009). Third, invasive species cause species reduction. Regional and transregional trade grows with the development of economic (Ericson, 2005, in Czech, Mills Busa, & Brown, 2012) causing non-native species invasions(Jenkins, 1996,in Czech, Mills Busa, & Brown, 2012). For instance, Guam’s native vertebrate species died out with the introduction of Boiga irregularis-the ravening brown tree snake during the early 1950s (Gurevitch & Padilla, 2004). Biodiversity is significant for human beings as it provides necessities and balances the ecosystem. However, it is hard to regenerate species once it disappeared.

In conclusion, rapid economic growth contributes to nation’s military strength as well as its citizen’s happiness. However, it causes serious air pollution and leads to biodiversity loss too. The disadvantages of rapid economic development exceed its advantages in consideration of the severe destruction of the environment which is difficult to recover.

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