Some favour the argument that poverty leads to environmental degradation while others argue that environmental degradation will lead to poverty.
The increase in population and poverty has made an impact on natural resources and the environment in many regions. In many parts of the world, environmental degradation – the deterioration of the natural environment, including the atmosphere, bodies of water, soil and forests – is an important cause of poverty. Environmental problems have led to shortages of food, clean water, materials for shelter, and other essential resources. As forests, land, air and water are degraded; people who depend upon these natural resources are adversely affected. As we know, global environmental
degradation may result from a variety of factors, including over population and the resulting over use of land and other resources. Drastic environmental degradations may result in poverty.