Goodland, Robert and Herman Daly. 1993. "Poverty Alleviation is Essential for Environmental Sustainability." Divisional Working Paper 1993-42 for the Environmental Economics and Pollution Division of The World Bank: Washington, D. C.

Summary: as provided by the authors (see ABSTRACT section)

"More than one-fifth of humanity lives in poverty; nearly two-thirds of humanity subsist on less than $2 per day. The numbers of poor are increasing. The world is hurtling away form environmental sustainability. The linkages between poverty and sustainability are explored. Five views are contrasted of how to alleviate poverty, considering the need to approach sustainability. The five views are: first, the "Trickle-Down Theory" that the North must consume even more to expand markets for Southern raw materials. The receipts for these exports eventually trickle down to the Southern poor, so the theory runs. Second, the plutocratic preference or "The Elitist Choice" notes that the rich tend to grab more power and benefit from power reduction of the poor: the affluence of the rich has an opportunity cost to the poor. Elites foster poverty because it creates low wage labor. Capital seeks cheap labor. Third, the anthropocentric view or "People-Centered Environmentalism" places man at the center of the cosmos, the rest of nature is derivative. As the earth's master species we are mandated to harness natural resources for our own benefit. Non-human species were created for mankind. Fourth, "The Biocentric View" claims that the living ecosystem is central; humans are part of it. We have a duty of stewardship to conserve the whole. Fifth, "Redistributive Justice" asserts that poverty can be alleviated directly by improving access of the poor to shelter, clothing, food, education and security. Specific suggestions how to alleviate poverty and approach environmental sustainability - by population stability, girls education, debt relief, job creation, technology transfer, and the transition to renewable energy - are detailed."

The authors stress the central role poverty plays in environmental degradation and thereby emphasize its alleviation as a primary factor in obtaining environmental sustainability.

Keywords: poverty, environmental sustainability, Trickle-Down Theory, The Elitist Choice, People-Centered Environmentalism, The Biocentric View, Redistributive Justice