Environmental Impact Assessment of Human Developmental Activities and Consumer Products : A Preventive Measure For Protecting The Human Health and The Environment

摘要

Development and environment was a major issue of the 20th century and the debate continues in the 21st century. At the centre of the debate are the five major economic development programs, all based on the 'fossil fuel economy'- the industrialization, urbanization, motorization, farmization and the energization which is essential to deliver a minimum quality of.life to the human society, but whose operation is also threatening the existence of the very human society. Development of infrastructure network -buildings, roads, power lines, industries, airports, harbours - requires large areas of land clearing and soil erosion. In the beginning of the 20th century, the slogan was 'develop or perish', and today it is proving like 'develop and perish'. Earlier was the period of 'Development Without Restriction' when resources were plenty and consumers few. It has resulted more like 'Development With Destruction'. Mankind is caught in a vicious circle of 'economic development vis-a-vis environmental degradation'.