Context and Overview of Environment and Development Economics

Abstract

I provide an overview of the brief and discuss pluralism briefly. I explore environmental indicators (using the World Bank’s World Development Indicators) with statistical graphs related to Chaps. 3–7 of the brief. I plot time series for certain select countries as well as scatter plots for all countries. For modern pollution I explore the indicator ambient concentration of fine particulate matter and for traditional pollution I explore the indicator access to an improved water source. Both indicators have been improving over the last few decades. The percentage of population that is rural indicates the population in developing countries who tend to depend on rural commons; this has been declining. Countries have attempted to preserve complex ecosystems by setting aside land as protected areas—often with a period of rapid growth in such areas followed by leveling off. Carbon dioxide emissions have followed economic growth closely. Finally, I explore the World Bank’s adjusted net national savings estimates, which are intended to be indicators of sustainable development.