Final answer:
Poverty can lead to environmental degradation through overexploitation of natural resources and reliance on unsustainable practices. Examples include deforestation for agriculture and burning wood for fuel. To escape this trap, addressing poverty and promoting sustainable development is crucial.
Step-by-step explanation:
Poverty and Environmental Degradation
Poverty can lead to environmental degradation in several ways. Firstly, poor communities often rely heavily on natural resources for their survival, such as forests for fuel and agriculture for food. However, due to their limited resources and lack of sustainable practices, they may overexploit these resources, leading to deforestation, soil erosion, and loss of biodiversity. For example, in many developing countries, poor farming communities resort to slash-and-burn agriculture, which involves clearing large areas of forest for cultivation, resulting in long-term damage to the environment.
Secondly, poverty and lack of access to clean energy sources can lead to the use of unsustainable options, such as burning wood and coal for cooking and heating. These practices release harmful pollutants into the air, contributing to air pollution and climate change. In India, for instance, poor households in rural areas heavily rely on inefficient cookstoves, which not only contribute to indoor air pollution but also exacerbate deforestation as more wood is needed for fuel.
To escape this trap, it is essential to address poverty and invest in sustainable development. Providing education and opportunities for economic empowerment can help lift communities out of poverty, reducing their reliance on unsustainable practices. Additionally, promoting sustainable agriculture and supporting the use of clean energy sources can help protect the environment while meeting the needs of the poor.