17. Economic Development Vs Environmental Protection

When faced with all kinds of 1) environmental problems, many people seem to believe that we have to choose either economic 2) prosperity or environmental protection. In my view, this is a false choice. I think that economic development and environmental protection can and must 3) coexist.

It is true that development has brought with it a number of environmental problems, such as air pollution, water 4) shortages and 5) acid rain, but at the same time modern industry and commerce have greatly 6) improved our lives. Few would wish to live without the 7) benefits of television, automobiles, computers, etc. 8) To stop developing our industry and commerce for the sake of nature alone is pure sentimentalism.

Of course, we can’t allow economic growth to go on at the expense of the environment, either. 9) When a healthy environment is gone, everything that our life depends on is gone, too. So, We must protect the environment---10) not for the sake of the environment alone---but for the sake of man.