How can economic issues contribute to conflict between countries regarding resource use, and how have these issues been resolved in recent years? (1 point)

Question

Countries at different stages of economic development have different attitudes toward the use of fossil fuels.
• international organizations such as the UN have helped create compromise
Addressing climate change has become an international priority, but sustainable development plans can favor
• countries with abundant renewable resources. This situation can lead to violent conflict.
Developing economies are reliant on the use of renewable resources to sustain economic growth, which can be threatened by subsidies for fossil fuels. This is usually resolved through the use of treaties
The shared use of resources like rivers can lead to disputes between countries when decisions by one country
• impact the use of that resource by a neighbor. This leads to resource sharing agreements between these countries.

Answer 1

Countries at different stages of economic development have different attitudes toward the use of fossil fuels. Developed countries often have higher levels of industrialization and rely heavily on fossil fuels for energy production. On the other hand, developing countries may have a greater reliance on renewable resources due to availability or economic constraints.

These differing attitudes and resource use patterns can lead to conflict between countries. Developed countries may exert pressure on developing countries to reduce their reliance on fossil fuels, arguing for the need to address climate change. However, developing countries may argue that their priority is economic growth and that they should be allowed to use their available resources to meet their energy needs.

To resolve these conflicts, international organizations such as the United Nations (UN) have played a crucial role in facilitating compromise. The UN provides a platform for countries to come together and discuss issues related to resource use and climate change. Through dialogues, negotiations, and agreements, countries can reach compromises that balance the need for economic growth with the need to address climate change. For example, the Paris Agreement, adopted in 2015, brought countries together to set targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions while taking into account the different development needs and capabilities of each country.

Additionally, countries have also recognized the importance of sustainable development and the need to promote renewable resources. Sustainable development plans and agreements can favor countries with abundant renewable resources, which can lead to conflicts with countries lacking such resources. However, by acknowledging the need for collaboration and sharing of resources, countries can prevent violent conflict. For example, countries that share rivers or other water bodies have often entered into resource sharing agreements to ensure equitable and sustainable use of the resource.

Moreover, economic issues related to resource use can be resolved through the use of treaties. For example, developing economies reliant on renewable resources may find their economic growth threatened by subsidies that support the use of fossil fuels, which are often cheaper. To address this issue, treaties have been established to level the playing field and provide financial support or incentives for the use of renewable resources. By creating a more equitable economic environment, conflicts arising from economic disparities can be minimized.

In recent years, there has been increasing recognition of the interlinkages between economic issues, resource use, and conflict. Efforts have been made to promote sustainable development, address climate change, and reduce economic disparities through international cooperation and agreements. The aim is to find win-win solutions that support economic growth while also protecting the environment and promoting equitable resource use.