Topic: Promoting Sustainable Industry in the Developing World
Country: Paraguay
Delegate Name: Chelsea DeBoer
School: Forest Hills Central High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Paraguay position papers GLIMUN 2008 committees
In the past two centuries, our world has been altered significantly due to technological advances and further industrialization especially in developed nations. These developments have, for the most part, been extremely beneficial for the well-being of humans and have raised the standard of living for many countries. Along with the advancements, there are key disadvantages. New industries have led to the destroying of ecosystems and the depletion of resources, greatly damaging the environment. Concern over the environment in recent years has presented the need to promote industries in an industrialized world that cause minimal environmental damage but still are able to support a nation economically. Some world leaders have begun promoting eco-friendly industries but these have not yet become mainstream in most of the world.
Paraguay’s chief economic support is the agricultural industry. In order to convert land into farmland, Paraguay has experienced rapid deforestation, and in turn, soil erosion. Other poor agricultural methods such as slash and burn clearing and over-exploitation are other negative effects that Paraguay’s main industry has had on the environment. Paraguay is very willing to put forward their best efforts to work for the common good of all citizens. It would be ideal for our country to promote and aid in promoting sustainable industries around the world. However, our economy is not in a very prosperous state at the time and will not be able to support other nations concerning this effort. There have been previous efforts in our country to regulate or protect the environment but they have not proven to be extremely successful. It would be beneficial for Paraguay’s environment to teach farmers new methods that would not deplete or damage natural resources. In order for this to happen, Paraguay would need monetary funds from the United Nations and international support.
There are many other nations in the world that would like to help the issue of sustainable industry but are simply not able to because of obvious economic reasons. They, too, must seek the support of the United Nations in order to truly combat this issue. Without the support of all nations, both developed and less developed, there will be no plausible solution to the environmental problems we are experiencing today.
