Assessment 2: Essay (30%)
Topic ONE
Natural Resources Effect on Sustainability
How does private ownership of natural resources affect sustainability?
Additional information
- As an example, you could write an essay focusing on Bolivia’s privatization of its water supply and the impact this has on the country’s sustainability.
- As an example, you could write an essay focusing on Monsanto’s ownership of gene structures underlying corn and soybean seeds and the impact this has on the world’s Natural Resources Effect on Sustainability.
- As an example, you could write an essay focusing on the privatization of common resources through biodiversity markets and the impact this has on a region’s or local area’s sustainability.
- You can talk about sustainability at the local, national or global level.
- You can approach the essay from a theoretical perspective or use an example such as environmental markets, or private ownership of nature, natural functions, or specific natural resources.
- Make sure that you write a thesis statement and incorporate it into your opening paragraph. That is, tell me in one or two sentences what you are going to argue. This will help you structure your essay
- Make sure you define sustainability and use the references from week 1 lecture to do so.
Note:
Week 1 Lecture definition of Sustainability:
- Thus
sustainability becomes important
- Brundlandt – development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs
- Meadows – A sustainable society is one that can persist over generations without undermining either its physical or its social systems of support
Privatization of water and sustainability has been gaining importance as a global issue as people become increasingly aware of the widespread and growing concern of the failures to meet this basic human need. Many countries globally are now encouraging the privatization of water resources as means of sustainability as water shortage become a major issue in parts of the world. Research studies have proven that privatization of water resources can indeed help reduce the water wastage as companies aim towards minimizing cost by preserving water (Jones, 2014). Therefore, privatization of water supply is an efficient way to sustainability and at the same time, a way to ensure freshwater is available throughout the world.
- As an example, you could write an essay focusing on Bolivia’s privatization of its water supply and the impact this has on the country’s sustainability.
- As an example, you could write an essay focusing on Monsanto’s ownership of gene structures underlying corn and soybean seeds and the impact this has on the world’s sustainability.
- As an example, you could write an essay focusing on the privatization of common resources through biodiversity markets and the impact this has on a region’s or local area’s sustainability.
- You can talk about sustainability at the local, national or global level.
- You can approach the essay from a theoretical perspective or use an example such as environmental markets, or private ownership of nature, natural functions, or specific natural resources.
- Make sure that you write a thesis statement and incorporate it into your opening paragraph. That is, tell me in one or two sentences what you are going to argue. This will help you structure your essay
- Make sure you define sustainability and use the references from week 1 lecture to do so.
- Due date – Friday of week 13
Note:
Week 1 Lecture definition of Sustainability:
- Thus
sustainability becomes important
- Brundlandt – development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs
- Meadows – A sustainable society is one that can persist over generations without undermining either its physical or its social systems of support
Private ownership of natural resources effect on sustainability
Introduction
Sustainability is the process of meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of the future generation to meet their needs (Jones, 2014). This points out that the current carrying capacity of the environment is limited and requires the ability of the people to preserve the natural resources to sustain both the present and future generations. Concerning Water resources realm, people are expected to develop and utilize the current water needs without affecting the ability of the future generation to meet their water needs (Lieberherr & Truffer, 2015). This concept also applies to both water supplies and aquatic environment.
Importance of water
For centuries, water has been an important natural resource for human survival across all cultures. In the past, people used to travel long distances in such of fertile lands with adequate water resource for settlement (Mandri-Perrott, 2012). However, the shift of living amongst the people contributed to the widely use of water to sustain their livelihoods leading water shortages. In addition, the interaction of people and human resources has now contributed towards the global issue of water scarcity hence the need for sustainable development. Due to this, various methods have been devised to ensure development and management of water resources concerning the changing environment and other emerging needs (Lieberherr & Truffer, 2015).
The increased rivalry for water supply around the world due to globalization, urbanization, and population growth have led to the need for privatization of water resources with the aim of achieving sustainable development. The demand for water and the water scarcity have eliminated the old idea that water is a free and social good. To protect the human survival in the future, countries are seeking new ways to preserve water resources (Lieberherr & Truffer, 2015).
Currently, states are observed to be utilizing the idea of water privatization in an attempt to improve water supply, water wastage and secure financial resource for investment. Privatization is now seen as a tool to reduce the burden on the public budget which contributes to poor water management and as well as a means for sustainability of water resources (Lieberherr & Truffer, 2015). The benefit of privatization of water resources in many countries is that corporations are held accountable for the management of water resources, which leads to sustainable development. This means that when private firms are responsible for the development and maintenance of water resources in the country, they tend to become more efficient in its management due to public reputation. The firm’s primary objective is profits and they cannot achieve any benefits if their public reputation is negative. Therefore, this leads to efficiency in the management of water resources, which leads to sustainability.
Impact of privatization of water resources
Privatization of water resources has benefited many developed countries in the preservation of water resources. In Europe, water privatization has led to the recovery and expansion of their water conservation and sanitation (Jones, 2014). Water wastage has reduced significantly, and many parts of the country receive clean water on a daily basis. In many areas of Europe, water privatization has resulted in improved managerial practices and higher operating efficiency of water resources. Evidence also prove that privatization of water resources in Europe has improved service provision of water to the poor and saved most countries budgetary resources (Jones, 2014). In these countries, water privatization as natural resource has led to the improvement of water sustainability and diminished water losses. Natural Resources Effect on Sustainability
Bibliography
Jones, J. (2014). Water Sustainability: A Global Perspective. New York: Routledge.
Lieberherr, E., & Truffer, B. (2015). The impact of privatization on sustainability transitions: A comparative analysis of dynamic capabilities in three water utilities. Environmental Innovation and Societal Transitions, 101–122.
Mandri-Perrott, C. (2012). Optimizing Private Sector Participation in the Water Sector. London: IWA Publishing.
