Changes Made to the Environment Due to Economic Change

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Introduction The natural environment is the most essential resource available to man. However, man’s management of resources within the environment will to a great extent determine his very existence. Since the natural environment is of crucial importance for social and economic life, the diversity of nature offers man vast opportunities for fulfilling all his needs and wants. We use the natural environment as; • a resource for food supply • an energy source • a source for recreation • a major source of medicines • natural resources for industrial products In Dominica, there is an abundance of natural environmental features. The mountainous and rugged nature of this volcanic island showcases a wealth of natural resources. Dominica’s underwater topography is no less dramatic, with coral reefs and a variety of marine life. The diversity of natural features in Dominica is the envy of many countries. However, there is often a thin line between the country’s development, economic viability and protection of the environment. Irrespective of the fact that the island has to a great extent maintained its natural environment, over the years the environment has changed in many ways. Some of the most notable changes in the environment include deforestation, the effects of global warming and depletion of marine resources. 1 The impact of deforestation on the environment Almost all forms of development, industry and commerce have an impact on the natural environment and its sustainability. The impact varies at different stages in the life cycle of a product, depending upon the raw materials used through to the final end use of the product. Due to the mountainous and rugged nature of Dominica, development, both human settlement and agriculture, has been mostly restricted to the coast. Like most Caribbean islands, this development is concentrated

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