Humanity stands at a pivotal moment: continue extracting natural resources in an unsustainable way or transition to a future rooted in balance and sustainability With over half of global GDP dependent on natural resources, the depletion of resources is mounting and posing a significant risk to businesses and investors. Despite repeated warnings, many enterprises continue to degrade the ecosystem. The World Bank predicts the Global South could face average annual losses of US$160 billion by 2030 due to climate change if current trends persist. In 2020, Vietnam alone incurred US$10 billion in climate-related losses. The Council on Energy, Environment, and Water (CEEW) reports that 750 million people in South Asia—over half the region’s population—have been impacted by multiple natural disasters. The growing frequency of deforestation, river pollution, and extreme weather patterns underscores the severity of the crisis. Climate change and resource depletion present humanity with a stark choice: persist in unsustainable practices or embrace a shift toward harmony with nature. The need for a sustainable development model has never been more pressing. Across the globe, countries and communities are prioritizing policies that align economic growth with nature. These strategies integrate environmentally conscious development and innovative approaches to modify human-nature interactions, […]
Economic growth in harmony with nature
By Pham Viet Anh (*)