Open AccessUnderstanding Poverty-Environment Relationship from Sustainable Development Perspectives
Author(s) -
Jeetesh Rai
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
journal of geography, environment and earth science international
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2454-7352
DOI - 10.9734/jgeesi/2019/v19i130077
Subject(s) - poverty , nexus (standard) , environmental degradation , sustainable development , natural resource , social exclusion , population , resource (disambiguation) , environmental change , development economics , economic growth , political science , sociology , economics , engineering , computer science , ecology , law , computer network , demography , climate change , biology , embedded system
Many observers conceptualize the environment-poverty link as “downward spiral,” with population growth and social exclusion leading to environmental deterioration. However, recent micro and small scale existential study challenges this model, showing striking heterogeneity in natural resource management by the poor, including display of their success in adapting to environmental change and the efficacy of policies in affecting outcomes. Using both conceptual and empirical material, this article aims to assess the poverty-environment relationship. I will specifically examine criticisms of the “poverty causes environmental degradation” approach, arguing that recent scholarly work on the complex web of factors involved in the poverty-environment nexus provides a more useful toolkit for assessing the poverty-environment link in local places. I will conclude by analyzing how policies can more effectively address the interrelationship between poverty and environmental degradation, highlighting promising areas of impact.