Environment in the 21st Century and New Development Patterns

Economic growth after World War II was made possible through dramatic increases in the use of material resources and energy. It is apparent that current development patterns followed by industrialized countries are causing serious environmental problems and that they are neither ecologically nor socially sustainable. Many Asian developing countries, which have suffered from poverty for decades, are experiencing high rates of economic growth by introducing material-intensive production and consumption patterns. The globalization trends magnify on a global scale the problems associated with current development patterns. How can we transform existing economic and social systems into more environmentally benign and sustainable ones? This work presents a number of issues that must be considered when discussing new development patterns, which are environmentally friendly and socially fair. It covers concepts of new development patterns, new energy and water supply, sustainable agriculture, information technology and environment, information disclosure and poverty alleviation. This volume should be of interest to those who are involved in innovative interdisciplinary policy studies on environment and development, particularly in Asia and the Pacific region. Also those who are interested in realizing sustainable development through agriculture, water supply, information technology, chemical industry and sustainability issues in China and India.