In many cases the development of a country is accompanied by pollution and environmental damage. Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Can it be simply avoided if the country takes an environmentally friendly approach?

 In many cases the development of a country is accompanied by pollution and environmental damage. Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Can it be simply avoided if the country takes an environmentally friendly approach?

Undeniably, the race for registering radical progress has resulted in catastrophic consequences: pollution and ecological damage. But, a reprieve is still not too far provided the focus is shifted to greener methods.

The environment is facing a paradox of progress in the form of colossal air pollution. Combustion of fossil fuels to produce energy to run factories – that are churning out goods to fuel economies - and vehicles - transporting humans and material to diverse locations for disparate purposes - has resulted in profuse spewing of pollutants, making air nearly unfit for breathing. Besides this, the attempt to render goods of luxury and comfort to society, is promoting discharge of industrial effluents in abundance in water bodies, damaging the marine ecology, as well as making water unfit for consumption.

Moreover, rapid spread of urbanization and industrial farming has resulted in reckless denuding of the planet, to make way for such venues and facilities, which is eventually setting enormous amounts of carbon dioxide free. This is giving rise to the serious problem of global warming which has the potential to seriously hamper the life sustaining ability of the planet. The atmosphere is becoming warmer and sea levels are rising, besides the climate becoming unpredictable.

Having said that, the situation can still be mitigated, and things can be salvaged provided the focus shifts from the conventional methods to the eco-friendly practices. The use of greener sources of energy instead of fossil fuels can help alleviate air pollution. Similarly, substituting exploitation of natural resources with recycling is being mulled by governments across the world as a way to put a halt to clearing of the green cover. These factors cumulatively, if applied prudently, hold great promises, and can help avert catastrophe.

Overall, undoubtedly the damage to the environment has been colossal, and rightly seems irreversible, but even so the planet can be helped to revert back to some extent by adopting sustainable methods and technology.