Rogerian Documented Essay Outline

Issue: Is it more important to promote environmental protection than economic development?

Original Thesis: While economic development is a pivotal element in the process of survival,

of greater importance is environmental protection since the health and safety of human beings

are at risk due to environmental degradation, many endangered species are on the path to

extinction in the earth’s natural ecosystem and environmental preservation is required to

facilitate Jamaica’s sustainable development.

Opposing Arguments:

I. Some advocates assert that economic development is more important since increased productivity

creates job opportunities which improve standard of living and alleviate poverty.

Support/Evidence: The tourism industry is the chief contributor to Jamaica’s GDP. This

sector has consistently contributed 30% of Jamaica’s GDP within the last five years with

sixteen million passengers (air and sea) arriving; creating 24.7% of total employment

(Mitchell, 2016).

II. Proponents of economic development contend that most of the earth’s natural resources are

renewable sources that can be naturally replenished, so there is no need to hinder

development.

Support/Evidence: Natural renewable resources are those intrinsic components of the natural

environment such as: wood, oxygen and water, that can be naturally replenished in the earth’s

eco-system (Kalalo, 2015).

Validation of the opposing views:

 i.The above-mentioned views are in fact valid because increased economic development is an

inexorable imperative for the sustenance of human life.

ii. The reality is that without economic activities, which often come in the form of Foreign

Direct Investment in Jamaica’s productive sector, numerous citizens would not be able to

meet their basic needs.

iii. Therefore, the establishment of hotels, multi-national corporations and the

development of local industries is necessary to achieve economic growth and to sustain

human life.

Supporting Arguments/ Writer’s Claims:

I. The health and safety of humans are threatened due to environmental degradation.

Support: a) Improper waste management and water contamination lead to spread of water-

borne diseases, which can be detrimental to citizens, especially children and the elderly.

Evidence: a) Water-borne diseases such as cholera, typhoid and dysentery are transmitted

through contaminated water which stem from improper sewage management and chemical

pollution (George, 2016).

Support: b) The safety of citizens is at risk due to disruptions in Jamaica’s eco-system, which

is instrumental in the maintenance of a good quality of life.

Evidence: b) According to Evans (2014) “Jamaica’s eco-system provides vital fresh water

resources, help mitigate the impacts of hurricanes, regulate local climate and rainfall, present

soil erosion, produce hydro-electricity and yield locally consumed non-timber forest products”

(p. 111).
II. Many endangered species are on the path to extinction in the earth’s natural ecosystem.

Support: a) Many endangered species in the ecosystem are suffering from loss of life and loss

of their natural habitat due to deforestation, industrialization and pollution.

Evidence: a) Glover (2010) asserts that: “there is widespread loss of biodiversity because

endangered species are becoming extinct at an unprecedented rate due to widespread pollution

and poor protective measures by governments” (p. 8).

III. Environmental preservation is required to facilitate sustainable development.

Support: a) As stewards of the earth, there is a need to protect and sustain the environment for

the benefit of generations to come.

Evidence: a) “Sustainable development refers to local development that meets the needs of the

present population without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own

needs” (Kalalo, 2015, p. 114).

Evidence: b): Environmental preservation is necessary to combat the long-term effects of

climate change such as: global warming, which causes temperatures and sea levels to rise at an

expeditious rate (Charles, 2013).

Validity of the Arguments (Concession/Refutation)

i. While economic development helps to curtail social ills such as poverty and

unemployment, both humans and endangered species in the earth’s natural ecosystem

are suffering immensely from environmental degradation, by virtue of: pollution,

deforestation and global warming.

ii. Environmental preservation is therefore more desirable because it ensures the health,

safety and longevity of all life forms through the maintenance of a clean and safe

environment. Coalitions among entities such as: the National Environment and
 Planning Agency (NEPA), Jamaica Environment Trust (JET) and the productive sector

could ideally foster sustainable economic growth and development.

Conclusion: New Thesis: Therefore, sustainable development and sustainable tourism

would be the ideal compromise for Jamaica’s current situation through the incorporation of

natural resource management into the productive process.

NB. This is NOT the current A.P.A.

References

Charles, D. (2013). Sustainable tourism in the Caribbean: The role of the accommodations sector.

International Journal of Green Economics, 7(2), 148-161.

Evans, A. (2014). Preservation or exploitation? What to do with the Caribbean ecosystem.

Journal of Sustainable Development Studies, 7(1), 109-115.

Glover, D. (2010). Valuing the environment: Economics for a sustainable future. Ottawa, CA:

International Research Centre.

George, K. (2016). Between preservation and exploitation: Transnational advocacy networks and

conservation in developing countries. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.

Kalalo, F. (2015). Environmental protection towards the new era. Environmental Management

and Sustainable Development, 4(2), 115-120.

Mitchell, K. (2016). Jamaica community experiences: Exploring the Jamaica social development

fund and rural economic development initiatives. International Journal of Research in

Engineering and Social Sciences, 6(10), 1-11.