Global Development Models and Sustainable Living
Sustainable Development and Its Constituent Parts
Given the fact that I did not prepare this topic, I will base my theory on a video taken from the internet and, of course, what I have been thinking about in the last 10 minutes.
First of all, according to what I have seen on the internet (actually, I watched a Salfate program), he believes sustainable development is the confluence of three constituent parts: Society, Environment, and Economy. These terms are related to each other in specific ways:
- Society and Economy: The link between these two is called equitability. This relates to the equitable treatment of all citizens. For example, my sister is a shopaholic and recently maxed out six credit cards. The economy (or companies) will not send you to jail; instead, they offer another credit card to get money so you can pay off the others. This equilibrium is a result of the neoliberal system.
- Society and Environment: This connection is known as bearableness. In other words, this is our tolerance for the environment. Currently, it does not work well; we are the ones producing the greenhouse effect, over-fertilization, and general pollution.
- Economy and Environment: This is a very strong link that is impossible to escape. For instance, we are often obligated to buy products that produce pollution, such as certain Samsung mobile phones.
If you wrap these elements together, the result should be sustainable development. However, this phenomenon usually does not work. Perhaps in the next five years, people will become more conscious of this fact. If we do, there may be solutions such as clean water, sanitation, decent work, economic growth, and sustainable cities.
Comparing Development Models: Dubai vs. Kerala
Given the fact that I did not prepare this topic, I will base my theory on a video taken from the internet and what I have been thinking about in the last 10 minutes.
First of all, according to what I have seen on the internet and what my classmates have told me, I believe the development in Dubai is very special. The Dubai model is hard to fully capture due to its multi-faceted nature, but it has several key dimensions. The unique aspects are less about the political system and more about the policies pursued. Fundamentally, Dubai opened itself to people from around the world. Today, 90% of residents are non-citizens. Sheikhs have built an economy depending on an externally generated labor and consumer market.
On the other hand, the Kerala model is a set of high material quality-of-life indicators that coincide with low per-capita incomes, distributed across nearly the entire population. For example, if your car breaks down, you do not have to deal with excessive costs; it can be fixed at a low cost. This makes the model remarkable. The difference is clearly political: Sheikhs versus good leaders. I suppose in the next ten years, some countries will copy this model to improve their systems.
The Benefits of Eco-Friendly Housing Models
Given the fact that I did not prepare this topic, I will base my theory on a video taken from the internet and my own thoughts. A green home is designed to be environmentally friendly and sustainable, focusing on the efficient use of energy, water, and building materials. In a program I watched, a house in Costa Rica was shown with these characteristics:
- It uses water from the forest as a power source via two low-impact hydroelectric turbines generating 800 kWh.
- It has photovoltaic solar panels on the roof providing up to 10,800 kWh of electricity.
- It contains a solar thermal panel to heat the water.
Regarding whether this is possible in our country, I am unsure. These houses might affect the business market, which could be a problem for Chilean businessmen. However, I am contributing by using electric resistors to save electricity and installing a solar panel on my roof.
Global Energy Sources and Rational Usage
According to research, renewable energy resources will never run out. They typically generate far less pollution than fossil fuels. These include:
- Water energy: Wave machines, tidal barrages, and hydroelectric power.
- Solar energy: Harvesting the sun’s energy through collector panels.
- Biogas energy: Gaseous fuel produced by the fermentation of organic matter.
Non-renewable energy sources, such as coal, oil, and natural gas, have a limited supply. Fossil fuels provide power for most of the world but release carbon dioxide, increasing global warming. In the next ten years, I hope we become more conscious of these sources.
Analyzing the Trickle-Down Economics Theory
Trickle-down economics is the theory that benefits given to the wealthy eventually trickle down to everyone else. These benefits usually include tax cuts on businesses, high-income earners, and capital gains. However, you cannot simply rely on this for two reasons:
- It assumes investors and company owners are the real drivers of growth. If they use tax cuts to expand, it can lead to over-indebtedness for the average person.
- It is often a fallacy. Benefits for the wealthy can lead to rich people taking over the economy, resulting in dirty economic competition.
I believe this should be the last option for countries, especially during a crisis.
The Success of the Scandinavian Social Model
The Scandinavian model refers to the economic and social policies of Denmark, Finland, Norway, Iceland, and Sweden. It combines free-market capitalism with a comprehensive welfare state. It stands on three pillars:
- Organized Work: Strong trade unions and coordinated wage setting.
- Economic Governance: Sound macroeconomics and open trade.
- Public Welfare: A security net with free or cheap public services.
This creates a cycle where efficiency is increased through free education and healthcare. I believe this is an effective model that could benefit Latin American countries in the future.
Urban Challenges: Overpopulation and Pollution
One of the main problems big cities face is the connection between overpopulation and pollution. Some argue that overpopulation is a myth because the world is not overcrowded—only the cities are. Issues like traffic jams and homelessness are examples of cities being overcome by density. Environmental pollution is a consequence of the link between business and the environment. People continue to live in cities for the promise of better jobs, prestigious schools, and modern healthcare.
Bridging the Wealth Gap in Modern Society
Given the fact that I did not prepare this topic, I will base my theory on a video taken from the internet. There exists a strong difference between the rich and the poor…
Implementing the Kerala Model in Chile
The development in Kerala focuses on quality of life despite low income. In Chile, there is a huge political difference between “good leaders” and “Chilean sheikhs.” Our current equilibrium is a result of neoliberalism, where tax cuts are supposed to spur growth, but we remain dependent on what businessmen want. I believe the Kerala model requires a level of consciousness that may not be applied in Chile yet.
Economic Development as a Social Solution
Is economic development the solution? In a neoliberal system, the focus is on equitability, but often it results in overcrowded cities and a lack of true sustainability. I think in the next ten years, economic development might affect this country negatively if we continue under the oppression of certain economic elites.
Poverty in Developed vs. Developing Nations
Poverty is experienced differently depending on the system. When a car broke down in Germany, the repair cost only 5 dollars due to the system in place. In Chile, a similar problem cost “20 lucas,” and the struggle to pay was much higher. The neoliberal system creates dirty competition where small businesses must constantly increase prices to survive.
Social Mobility and Its Impact on the Poor
Given the fact I did not prepare this topic, I will base my theory on a video taken from the internet and what I have been thinking about in the last 10 minutes.
The Future of Rural Areas and Urban Trends
People move to cities for the promise of better jobs, leading to overcrowding. A negative effect of this trend is discrimination against Latin American people. While this problem is hard to solve, I believe future generations will have to learn to lead alongside foreign populations.
Redefining Success in an Individualistic Society
Success is usually linked to economic stability, property, and education. People endure traffic jams and pollution for the “promise of success.” However, this success is strongly connected to individualism. We need to move away from this mindset to better care for our environment and community.
Future Opportunities for the Younger Generation
While some fear a lack of opportunities due to market saturation, new technologies are creating fields in science and discovery. Specialization is key in a competitive society. Regarding immigration, studies show it only represents 3% of the Chilean population, so it is not the threat some perceive it to be.
Balancing Business Growth and Environmental Care
It seems impossible to do business while protecting the environment. Big industries, like Samsung and Nokia, have a huge impact on ecosystems due to resource exploitation. However, I believe that in the coming years, there will be more consciousness and collaboration to solve this dilemma.
Neoliberalism and Its Influence on Chile
Neoliberalism transfers economic control from the public to the private sector. In Chile, this has created a system where citizens rely on credit and private property. This “equilibrium” is the core of our current social and economic structure.
Mobile Technology in Rural Development
Rural life can be improved by mobile phones and web-based technologies. For example, when stranded in a small village, I was able to pay a mechanic via a phone transfer and find safety using Uber. Mobile apps have taken a huge place in our society and can help people escape difficult situations.
Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security
As energy prices rise, agriculture must become more efficient. We can use Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs), aeroponics (growing plants without soil), and sensors to monitor soil moisture. These technologies will help meet the global food demand, which is projected to double in the next 50 years, while conserving our ecosystems.