Theories behind environmental degradation

Sources and Sinks

waste3

Scientist often refer environmental problems as sources and sinks. The earth has a a finite planetary quantity of each non renewable resources , and also renewable resources such as water sources, forest, soil, fishes that the use/ extraction cannot exceed the rate of regeneration

Environmental limits to economic growth is either manifest in shortages in the source ( raw materials/natural resources) or the lack of sufficient ” sinks: to absorb the waste from industrial pollution which often cause harm to the environment.

The source and the sink problem are interrelated and interconnected because the greater use of resources to produce goods will result in greater flow of pollutants into the sink during extraction, processing, transportation, manufacturing and the use and disposal of the good.

Limits of Growth Study (1972)

This study emphasizes the problem of sources in the form of shortages of raw materials such as fossil fuels, basic materials, top soils, freshwater and forest. It also shows that the current environmental concern has shifted more to sinks as represented by climate change, ocean acidification and the production of toxic.

Over population

overpopulation

In the 18th century, Thomas Malthus raised the issue that food shortages was related to rapid population growth. The current and future shortages of natural resources is resulted from a population explosion that overshoots the carrying capacity of the earth.

 Globalized Imperialism

imperialism

The notion of capitalism has resulted in global imperialism where developed countries exert their influence and control in resource rich regions in developing countries. The centralization of power is only concentrate on a minority of elites who dominates large parts of the world, and caused environmental destruction to the areas they control. The beliefs of capitalism results in an incessant drive for expansion of local markets into international markets, hence resulting in it imperialist tendencies.