Environmental Priorities and Poverty Reduction (A Country Environmental Analysis for Colombia)

'Environmental Priorities and Poverty Reduction: A Country Environmental Analysis for Colombia' proposes cost-effective policy and technical interventions aimed at abating the cost of environmental degradation and supporting more equitable and sustainable economic growth. Environmental degradation is associated with increased morbidity and mortality and decreased productivity. Urban and indoor air pollution; inadequate water supply, sanitation, and hygiene; natural disasters (mainly floods and landslides); and land degradation are the environmental problems associated with the highest social and economic costs, falling most heavily on vulnerable people, especially poor children under five years old. 'Environmental Priorities and Poverty Reduction' begins by exploring institutional change and environmental priorities in Colombia over the past 50 years, a time of substantial progress in environmental protection and rapid transition from a largely rural to a highly urbanized economy. Part II assesses the burden of disease rooted in inadequate water supply, sanitation, and hygiene; poor air quality; and natural disasters; and the environmental management practices to reduce that burden. A discussion of the environmental costs of rapid and unplanned urbanization is also included. Part III assesses the sustainable management of Colombia's rich endowment of natural resources. This book provides a wealth of information for policy decision-makers, government officials, and other professionals working in environmental policy and management, poverty reduction strategies, public health, environmental economics, and civil society issues.