Student ID: 2020-02-0383 Name: Hamza Arshad Malik

SS 166 Introduction to Environmental Studies

Assignment 1

Total Marks: 15

Total time: 10 Hours

There are a total of two pages, with 3 questions (question 3 has 2 parts). You may use more space to
write your answers than what is allocated

1. Explain how growth has a positive and negative impact on the environment? Provide an
example in each case as well (5)

Growth can be of many kinds, but a good measure of growth is economic growth. Not all
forms of economic growth have a negative impact on the environment. With a rise in real
incomes, individuals can better allocate resources to the environment and better mitigate
the harmful impacts of pollution. Also, economic growth caused by improved technology can
enable higher output with less pollution. An example of how growth has a positive impact
on the environment is how increased economic growth has led to substantial technological
growth. This has led to various inventions that positively impact the environment, one of
which is the invention of electric cars which run on electricity produced from renewable
resources. This gradual shift from petrol consuming cars leads to an increase in output and a
reduction in the environmental impact.

A negative impact of growth can again be looked at from the lens of economic growth or
population growth. Both go hand in hand in having a negative impact on the environment.
An example of this is how population and economic growth requires humans to produce
more food for consumption. This has led to increase reliance on agriculture, which in turn
has led to many negative impacts on the environment such as soil erosion, loss of
biodiversity and loss of animal habitats.

2. Why does growing inequality add to the grand challenge of sustainable development? (2)

It creates a paradox. The rich cause environmental problems of which they are dimly aware
whilst the poor suffer from environmental problems they are powerless to solve. Add to this
the prospect of sustainable development, and this creates a grand challenge for the whole
world, which involves meeting the needs of the present, including the more than one billion
people who live in poverty without compromising the ability of future generations to meet
their needs.

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Student ID: 2020-02-0383 Name: Hamza Arshad Malik

3. Use the document ‘transforming our world: the 2030 agenda for sustainable development’
to answer the following questions.
(a) Explain which 2 variances the UN has adopted in its approach for sustainable development?
(4) (it is a 4-mark question, so I am expecting a short description of each)

Firstly, that it can be achieved within the present structure. Adjustments can be made
without any fundamental changes to society, processes of decision making, or power
relations. It does this by stating that cohesive nationally owned sustainable development
strategies, supported by integrated national financial frameworks will be at the heart of their
efforts. This involves each country having responsibility over its own economic and social
development and the UN respecting each country’s policy space and leadership to
implement policies for poverty eradication and sustainable development. Change will come
from existing structures already present in each country, and thus the UN has given each
member country the freedom to create relevant policies on their own accord to achieve the
combined goals of sustainable development.

Secondly, that fundamental reform is necessary but without a full rupture of the existing
arrangements. The UN recognizes that some countries, particularly developing countries,
need assistance with sustainable development. The root of the problem is not in the nature
of society but in the lack of knowledge. The UN aims to provide assistance in this regard and
will try to mend the gap as much as it is feasibly possible. For example, the report says that
the UN will provide assistance to developing countries in attaining long term debt
sustainability through coordinated policies aimed at fostering debt financing, debt relief,
debt restructuring and sound debt management, as appropriate.

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Student ID: 2020-02-0383 Name: Hamza Arshad Malik

(b) Provide 3 examples from the list of targets (in the document) for each of the two approaches
you listed above. (6)

Variance 1:
1) Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive
employment and decent work for all. The target in this goal is to sustain economic
growth in accordance with national circumstances, in particular at least 7 percent gross
domestic product growth per annum growth in the least developed countries.
2) Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and
foster innovation. The target in this is develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient
infrastructure, including regional and transborder infrastructure, to support economic
development and human well-being, with a focus on affordable and equitable access for
all.
3) Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable. The target
in this which explains the variance is ensure access for all adequate, safe and affordable
housing and basic services and upgrade slums. Another target that explains it is provide
safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for all, improving road
safety, notably by expanding public transport , with special importance to the needs of
those in vulnerable situations, women, children, persons with disabilities and older
persons.

Variance 2:

1) Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls. A target in this which
explains the variance is, ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health and
reproductive rights as agreed in accordance with the Programme of Action of the
International Conference on Population and Development and the Beijing Platform for
Action and the outcome documents of their review conferences
2) Reduce inequality within and among countries. By 2030, empower and promote the
social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race,
ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status. This target involves spreading
knowledge.
3) Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts. The target which explains
this is, implement the commitment undertaken by developed-country parties to the
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change to a goal of mobilizing jointly
$100 billion annually by 2020 from all sources to address the needs of developing
countries in the context of meaningful mitigation actions and transparency on
implementation and fully operationalize the Green Climate Fund through its
capitalization as soon as possible.

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