Dr. Colin Young spoke to the class about environmental sustainability in Belize. He defined sustainability, as many do, as development that meets the needs of present population without compromising the needs of future generations. However, this definition is rather vague and does not give us a great understanding on how to achieve sustainable development, especially in a small, developing such as Belize. Young explained that the idea of sustainable development is misunderstood at the national level and must be recognized as a transborder, supra national program that is transformative and a normative, long term process. Unfortunately, humankind tends to strive for short-term progress but that is an unrealistic because the solutions of creating a sustainable framework is an ongoing, long term process that has no simple solutions.
Dr. Young specifically outlined the six major issues with sustainable development in Belize. The high deforestation rates pose a significant threat to the native animals and plants; if the deforestation rate 2.3% per year continues, the Belizean forests will seize to exist in the next forty years. Second, the lack of liquid/solid waste systems force the population to burn their own trash, posing both environmental and biological threats to the country. With roughly one million tourists per year, the development of a waste management system is vital in saving the environment while meeting the social and economic needs of the country. Third, the rising poverty rates of Belize must be addressed in order to promote sustainable living. With 43% of the population living in poverty it is near impossible to urge them to respect the environment when they are living day by day just trying to put some sort of food on the table. Fourth, with beautiful beaches attracting foreign investors, the rapid coastal development is detrimental to the natural marine habitat. The removal of mangroves and other vegetation makes the oceanfront properties prone to worse effects of hurricanes while ruining the habitat of hundreds of species. Fifth, ineffective institutional and legal frameworks creates more difficulty in creating a sustainable system of development. Without proper governmental backup and adequate infrastructure conservation efforts are extremely difficult. Lastly, the recent oil discovery in Belize has attracted 17 companies to buy plots of land in Belize, many of which are home to abundant forests, reef, animals and plants in protected areas. If companies are to continue to search for oil and destroy these plots of land, the species are significantly threatened. Overall Dr. Young did a fantastic job outlining the main issues of sustainable development in Belize, specifically pointing out the need for humans, plants, and animals to all be equally considered in the solutions to ensure a balanced system in which economic, social, and environmental sustainability can be achieved.
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