Poverty Reduction and Sustainable Development Chile: Business, Language & Culture Program Spring 2018 Semester - Viña del Mar

The poorest are the ones hardest hit with environmental issues as they often depend directly on natural resources for their daily needs and livelihoods (for firewood, food and building material, fishing). Desperate for employ­ment, poor people suffer the most unhealthy work environments. Without much choice as to where to live, they are more exposed to disasters such as floods and fire, and to toxic dumps, and polluted air and water. As their quality of life declines and their health deteriorates,these environmental issues render them even less able to make a living. Far from being anti-development, environmental policies can actually be used to protect the health and livelihoods of poor people, and increase their political and economic power.