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Thursday, April 22, 2010
The Effects of Poverty On the Environment
Originally posted on July 6, 2008:
Just miles down the street from us it was reported on the nightly news that a local food bank has had to turn away families at record numbers because it's running out of food. Another charity center that offers shuttle services to the elderly reported they have had such a significant drop in volunteers they fear they will no longer be able to offer this assistance to the them. Volunteers have complained that they can no longer use their vehicles to shuttle seniors because of the cost of fuel and high prices in food.
Seeing this information broadcasted on the news made me start thinking about the effects poverty can have on the earth. There is a correlation between the two, sometimes, and it's happening in developing countries. I can't help but be reminded of the extraordinary deforestation that Haiti has suffered as a result of poverty. I have vivid memories of traveling back and forth from the US to Haiti when I was in college and being astounded at the difference in vegetation on that island from one travel to the next. Waters off the coast of Haiti that used to be infested with marine life are now devoid of fish and other sea existence. For small coastal towns that once thrived off the provision and livelihood of the sea, their infrastructure has been uprooted.
According to Global Issues, issues about environment, economics and politics are inter-related through the way humans interact with their surroundings and with each other. Once again I must use Haiti as a reference. The times when Haiti has had a relatively stable government; when the ruling regime provided jobs for the people and tourism flourished, there was less dependency on the environment.
This relationship between poverty and the environment is very evident globally. The depletion of natural resources in Africa, parts of South/Central America, Caribbean, China and various areas of the middle East all tell tales of the correlation between poverty and its surroundings.
The flip side of this situation is that when the environment isn't nurtured and cared for the adverse result could be poverty. A nations sustainability is maintained when it properly manages it's natural resources. We see this type of problem in developed countries where urban sprawl and concrete cities are killing wild life or pushing them from their natural habitat. Forests are being replaced by new cookie cutter home communities. Swamps are being filled so there is more land to build on. All this excessive building is destroying nature and causing terrible pollution. This irresponsibility on developed countries is driving up the prices of fuel and other resource causing unfortunate economic burden on everyone. However, it will be the families struggling to make it, who will undoubtedly flung into poverty. As good stewards of our world, I believe we have a duty to cultivate our planet and live within our means.
Just miles down the street from us it was reported on the nightly news that a local food bank has had to turn away families at record numbers because it's running out of food. Another charity center that offers shuttle services to the elderly reported they have had such a significant drop in volunteers they fear they will no longer be able to offer this assistance to the them. Volunteers have complained that they can no longer use their vehicles to shuttle seniors because of the cost of fuel and high prices in food.
Seeing this information broadcasted on the news made me start thinking about the effects poverty can have on the earth. There is a correlation between the two, sometimes, and it's happening in developing countries. I can't help but be reminded of the extraordinary deforestation that Haiti has suffered as a result of poverty. I have vivid memories of traveling back and forth from the US to Haiti when I was in college and being astounded at the difference in vegetation on that island from one travel to the next. Waters off the coast of Haiti that used to be infested with marine life are now devoid of fish and other sea existence. For small coastal towns that once thrived off the provision and livelihood of the sea, their infrastructure has been uprooted.
According to Global Issues, issues about environment, economics and politics are inter-related through the way humans interact with their surroundings and with each other. Once again I must use Haiti as a reference. The times when Haiti has had a relatively stable government; when the ruling regime provided jobs for the people and tourism flourished, there was less dependency on the environment.
This relationship between poverty and the environment is very evident globally. The depletion of natural resources in Africa, parts of South/Central America, Caribbean, China and various areas of the middle East all tell tales of the correlation between poverty and its surroundings.
The flip side of this situation is that when the environment isn't nurtured and cared for the adverse result could be poverty. A nations sustainability is maintained when it properly manages it's natural resources. We see this type of problem in developed countries where urban sprawl and concrete cities are killing wild life or pushing them from their natural habitat. Forests are being replaced by new cookie cutter home communities. Swamps are being filled so there is more land to build on. All this excessive building is destroying nature and causing terrible pollution. This irresponsibility on developed countries is driving up the prices of fuel and other resource causing unfortunate economic burden on everyone. However, it will be the families struggling to make it, who will undoubtedly flung into poverty. As good stewards of our world, I believe we have a duty to cultivate our planet and live within our means.
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8 comments:
Well said! I was just talking to somebody about Haiti's deforestation problem. There are some charities that are helping to plant back trees, unfortunately, it takes a while but at least it's something.
Absolutely and Amen! It really seems like common sense to take care of our earth, doesn't it?
THAT IS WONDERFUL READ!!! WE CAN PASS THIS ON TO OUR CHILDREN BEFORE ITS TO LATE TO DO SO. EVERY LITTLE HELP IN EVERY LITTLE WAY COUNTS....
TORI
Great post.
Oh my... truer words were never spoken. What a horrible cycle poverty plays in society. I am often reminded of how just 10 miles south is the inner city and their schools struggle to keep "scores" up and I wonder...if the kids are fed, then surely they would be concentrating on other things than hunger.
My kids are all involved on some level every week with the food bank, shelters, or in the teaching/tutoring of those in the inner city.
Not trying to "toot our horns" but to make my kids realize we have a long, long way to go before they will ever be able to rest!
We too had a beautiful 4th!
I remember being the recipient of handouts and charity as a child [from food banks too, but never knew that until recently].
That's why I'm motivated to give; paying it forward is always first in my mind. How blessed the giver and receiver are. It's a win-win situation!
Everyone should get some extras this week during the weekly shopping for the local food bank. I know I will! Thanks for the reminder.
This is a great post, so many suffer, and what's it to us to make a couple extra sandwiches, drive downtown and make a kid happy? Selflessness is the cost.
I though the kids would be too spicious to take food from a stranger, but hunger overrides that. My dad was too prideful and threatened to leave my Mom when she applied for gov. help. We ate leftovers from the kid's lunches she babysat.
Anyho...I've addded you to my favs.
"A nations sustainability is maintained when it properly manages it's natural resources"
I remember in groups where we'd go out in our community and try to get people involved in understanding and doing something about this before the problem got worse.
It is our responsibility to take care of our country or town or wherever we are living.
But alas, many cannot get past the moment of trying to survive to plan ahead like that without help.