Industrilization and

UNIT 2 INDUSTRILIZATION AND Environment

ENVIRONMENT

Structure

2.1 Introduction
2.2 Industrialization: Concept and Meaning
2.3 Role and Importance of Industrialization
2.4 Urbanization and Industrialization Nexus
2.5 Impact of Industrialization on Environment
2.6 Sustainable Industrialization and Environment
2.7 Let Us Sum Up
2.8 References and suggested readings
2.9 Check Your Progress: Possible Answer

2.1 INTRODUCTION
The important sectors of the economic activities are agriculture, industry and
services. The industry and industrialization are process of economic
structural change to enhance the growth rate of an economy. The
industrialization took place in different countries during different period of
time. It was triggered off in the Europe in the 17th century, followed by
America in 18th century and consequently spread across different parts of the
world. In other words, over the last two centuries, the experiences of the first
wave of industrialized countries in Europe and the US, and the more recent
experiences of the East Asian Tigers, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, China,
India, and Vietnam, have illustrated the transformative nature of
industrialization. In the developing countries the industrialization took place
under the aegis of the government and gradually shifted to the private sector.
No doubt industrialization has enhanced employment, income and quality of
life of the people in different parts of the world; however, it has affected the
environment to a great extent.

The impact of industrialization on the environment is on a number of

resourceful natural elements like, water, air, soil and fisheries. These are
being adversely affected by the environmental pollution due to
industrialization. Global warming and greenhouse effects are the result of
industrialization, which has a massive impact of industrialization on the
environment. The degradation of the entire environment and ecological
system is inclined to become permanent and tends to cause several negative
effects on the economy.

This unit gives an account of industrialization and environment. After reading

this unit, learner would be able to:
179
Sustainable (i) Explain the concept and meaning of industrialization.
Environment and
Development
(ii) Describe the role and importance of industrialization to the economy.
(iii) Discuss the nexus between urbanization and industrialization.
(iv) Describe the impact of industrialization on environment.
(v) Explain sustainable industrialization and environment.

2.2 INDUSTRIALIZAITON: CONCEPT AND

MEANING
Industrialization refers to an economic transformation that is recent and
different in scale and scope from the mere making of artifacts and has
involved the rapid rise in the significance of manufacturing in relation to all
other forms of production and work undertaken within national
economies. Kaur (1997) considered industrialization as the hub of economic
development because it has the employment potential for raising workforce,
is typically associated with the creation of external and internal economies
and with the rise of factor productivity, and hence with rising per capita
income and living standard. The industrialization process in developed as
well as developing countries started through “industrial revolution”. The
modern historians have described industrial revolution into two types: the
initial industrialization which started in 1700 in Great Britain and continued
up till 1870 is called as the period of “First Industrial Revolution”
characterized by developments in textiles, iron and steam led by Great
Britain. The “Second Industrial Revolution” triggered off from 1950s
onwards, characterized by steel, electrics and automobiles led by the USA
and Germany. The “Third Industrial Revolution” covered the Asian Tigers
i.e. Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan and South Korea and it also spread
through in the countries like Argentina, Mexico, Brazil, China and India,
Malaysia. According to Sutcliffe (1977) a country may be regarded as
industrialized if at least 25 per cent of GDP arises in industries of which 60
per cent should be in the manufacturing and which had at least 10 per cent of
its population employed in industry.1

2.3 ROEL AND IMPORTANCE OF

INDUSTRIALIZATION
Industrialization has brought modernization to both developed and
developing countries. It is sometimes being said that industrialization and
modernization go hand in hand. The role and importance of industrialization
are described below.

i) Industrialization promotes economic growth: One of the key roles of

industrialization is that it promotes economic growth and development
of the countries. China is an illustrious example where industrialization
plays an important role in the economic growth of the countries. Many
180
 developing countries are also emphasising on industrialization in order Industrilization and
Environment
to promote economic growth rate. The UNIDO was of the view that
that industrialization will remain the mainspring of the economic
growth of developing countries and the catalyst of their technological,
financial and socio-economic transformation.

ii) Industrialization provides employment opportunities: The

industrialization enhances employment opportunities in the economy.
The industry in general and the small and medium scale industries in
particular in the developing countries are playing important role in
providing employment to a large number of skilled and semi skilled
population. The quality of employment provided by the industrial
sector is better than those provided by the agriculture sector. Moreover,
industrialization holds the key in generating decent employment
opportunities for a youth population. Lewis (1954) proposed a dual
economic model that consists of traditional and modern sectors, and
showed that the persistent capital accumulation in the modern sector
(industry) would gradually absorb redundant workers from the
traditional (agricultural) sector.

iii) Industrialization helps in poverty eradication: The workers working

in the industrial sector get higher income compared to their counterpart
engaged in agriculture sector. These higher incomes of industrial
workers help them to drag them out of the poverty. It is remarked that
China has successfully led the fight against poverty in the world by
lifting more than 600 million people out of poverty on the heels of
rapid economic growth, sustained by industrialization.2 One of the
studies have shown that manufacturing plays an important role in the
process of economic growth, the creation of new employment and the
alleviation of poverty in the least developed economies and in emerging
middle-income countries.

iv) Industrialization improves quality of life: Industrialization and

employment opportunities provided by the industries and income
earned there from improve the quality of life of the people employed in
the industrial sector. Clark Naardinelli said the industrial revolution, as
the transformation came to be known, caused a sustained rise in real
income per person in England. Citing the case of America it was
commented that industrialization created an economic boom in the
United States that helped the middle class grow and proliferate. This,
for the average American, meant more money and money buying
power. It gave many people the opportunity to purchase vehicles and
homes and go on vacation, all while saving money back for
retirement.3

v) Industrialization brings modernity: Industrialization and

modernization go hand in hand. In European countries industrialization
181
Sustainable brought modernity and the same was repeated in the Asian countries
Environment and
Development when they adopted industrialization in the nineteenth century. The
industrialization process is accompanied by technological and
organizational change. This also leads to higher levels of productivity,
rising living standards, population growth, urbanization, cultural
changes and shifts in the balance of power among nations. The
industrialization produces variety of goods which are modern in nature
and thus overtakes traditional pattern of life style.

2.4 URBNIZAITON AND INDUSTRIALIZAITON

NEXUS
There is an inherent linkage between the urbanization and industrialization. It
is said that the urbanization without industrialization in the developing
countries has created a host of problems in the urban areas of the developing
countries. Paul Bairoch (1988) asserts that “[i]industrialization fosters
urbanization, and cities promote further industrialization, engendering in the
process a growing number of specifically urban forms of employment: jobs
for street car drivers, meter readers for water, gas and electrical systems [...]
and so on.”

The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa in its Report

Urbanization and Industrialization for Africa’s Transformation 2017 has
envisaged followings:

(i) Better functioning cities require better performing industrialization.

(ii) Better performing industrialization requires better functioning cities.
(iii) Industrialization and urbanization face common challenges.

The links between urbanization and industrialization have generally been

weak or absent in many developing countries most probably in the African
countries. This link affects the employment and economic growth of these
countries. Some of the nexus between urbanization and industrialization are
narrated below.

(i) Urban demand could be a driver of industrial development: Many

cities are being started with the establishment of industries. They are
being named as industrial cities. The steel city of Raurkela and Bhillai
are the illustrious examples of nexus between the urbanization and
industrialization. Therefore it can be said that cities require better
performing industrialization and industrialization requires better
functioning cities. At the same time, industrialization and urbanization
face common challenges. Thus, the core message of the report is that
deliberate there is a positive nexus between the urbanization and
industrialization.

(ii) Urbanization and Industrialization faces common Challenges: The

182 challenges of urbanization and industrialization are many a times are
 common. One of the illustrious examples is the environmental Industrilization and
Environment
pollution. The large concentration of population in the urban areas
leads to pollution. Similarly large concentration of industries in a
particular cities lead to industrial pollution. Therefore efforts are
needed to link urban and industrial development in the context of
national development planning.

(iii) Cities could provide industrial location options: The cities are in a
best position to provide industrial location. In many cities the industries
are located in a place away from the locality. They are best known as
industrial areas. The city and industrialization has a strategic
relationship and if planned properly one could supplement and
complement one another.

(iv) Better functioning cities could provide large production benefits:

The industrial sector contributes immensely to the economic growth
rate of the nation states. If the industry gets proper help from the city
administration, it would enable it to raise its productivity. Sometimes if
the city administration is not favourable towards the industry it may
lead to closure of the industry from the city. The healthy relationship
between city administration and industry would be helpful to control
pollution.

(v) Urban industrial nexus could promote rural urban nexus: The last
but not the least the urbanization and industrialization nexus would be
helpful to promote rural urban nexus. The rural industrialization helps
the smaller cities and town and nagar panchayats to grow as bigger
towns. The agro-based industries sometimes help in the growth of
village business centre and townships.

In these sessions you read about various aspects of environment and

industrialization now answer the questions given in Check Your Progress-1

Check Your Progress 1

Note:a) Write your answer in about 50 words.

b) Check your answer with possible answers given at the end of the
unit.

1. Industrialization promotes economic growth: Explain

……………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………
183
Sustainable 2. Why urban demand could be a driver of industrial development:
Environment and
Development Illustrate
……………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………

2.5 IMPACT OF INDUSTRIALIZAIOTN

ONENVIRONMENT
Industrialization although increases employment and livelihood
opportunities, yet it produces many adverse impact on environment. Some of
the adverse impact of industrialization on environment is discussed below.

(i) Air Pollution: The biggest problem of industrialization is air pollution.

The polluted air emitted by industry caused by the smoke and
emissions generated by burning fossil fuels. The air pollution affects
living beings in the cities not only people but also animals and other
living beings.

(ii) Water Pollution: Water pollution is another negative effect of

industrialization. The water is contaminated in the areas closer to the
industry. The effluents of industry pollute water sources if it exists
closer to the industry. The toxins emitted by the industry can come in a
variety of forms — solid, liquid or gaseous — and they can all end up
contaminating the local water supplies. Even landfills and other waste
disposal areas can leach toxins into the local water supply, leading to
water pollution.

(iii) Soil Pollution: Another bad effect of industrialization is its effect on

the soil. The industry in general and chemical industries in particular
pollutes the nearby land soil and hampers the fertility of the soil. The
soil health is affect by the emission of effluents from the industries.
Moreover, it even affects the products produced by the land closer to
the industry.

(iv) Habitat destruction: industrialization can lead to habitat destruction.

Some of the adverse impact are forests are being cut down for their
lumber, and ecosystems are destroyed to create roads, strip mines and
gravel pits. Destroying these habitats upsets local ecosystems and leads
to plant and animal extinction. If the species are unable to relocate or
adapt to their new surroundings it is a great loss to the environment and
eco-system.

(v) Harming Ecosystem: The Industrial Revolution triggered off in both

184
 developed as well as in developing countries has marked a major Industrilization and
Environment
turning point in Earth’s ecology and humans’ relationship with their
environment. It dramatically changed every aspect of human life and
lifestyles. From human development, health and life longevity, to
social improvements and the impact on natural resources, public well-
being, energy usage and sanitation, the effects have been profound. The
relationship between the human being and the ecosystem has changed
drastically and both them are being effected by industrialization.

(vi) Health hazards: From the public health point of view, the negative
impacts of industrialization are of great concern, because they cause the
degradation of environment, accidents, injuries and chronic health
effects. The industrialization causes a lot of occupational health
problems such as cancer, asthma, tuberculosis, etc. It is observed that
people working in the tobacco factories suffers from cancer and
tuberculosis. It also affects the people living in the vicinity of the
tobacco factory. The other chemical industries also produce adverse
impact on human health.

(vii) Risk of Industrial Disasters: One of the bizarre impacts of

industrialization would be its impact on industrial disaster. People will
not forget Chernobyl and Bhopal gas tragedy. The risk of industrial
disaster is one of the worst adverse impacts of industrialization on
environment. Moreover, the fallout dust or the gaseous clouds or
dispersed toxicants are several pollutants that may spread through the
environment. It may migrate to the neighboring places or affect the
local fauna or flora by interacting with the living systems. The caustic
gases wilt cause necrosis, chlorosis or prohibit the plants from
photosynthesis causing low productivity. These gases may also lead to
acid-rain formation which ultimately damages the environment
including soil and water.4

(viii) Global Warming and Climate Change: Industrialization can cause

climate change and may lead to global warming. Climate change
customarily mean persistent change in the weather pattern engendered
by anthropogenic activities. It is mostly linked to industrialization. It
manifests long-term shift in the statistics of the weather that warm
weather in upward direction. One of the major drivers of climate
change is the global warming. Global warming is many a time used
interchangeably with climate change. Global warming refers to an
average increase in the temperature of the atmosphere near the earth’s
surface. The last decade of the 20th century and the beginning of the
21st have been the warmest period in the entire globe.

185
Sustainable
Environment and 2.6 SUSTIANBALE INDUSTRIALIZATIOIN AND
Development
ENVIRONMENT
There is a need to promote sustainable initialization in order to protect the
environment. Some of the steps to be taken for the sustainable
industrialization are narrated below.

(i) Industrialization need to take into consideration "clean" production

processes environment-friendly products.
(ii) Comprehensive monitoring and supervision of all industrial plants and
their pollution level certificate need to be issued to them.
(iii) Increased investments in pollution prevention and industrial waste
treatment. Required number of industrial waste treatment plants to be
established.
(iv) Introduction of need based changes in the production processes and use
of less pollution free material.
(v) The Green Tribunals be formed at the national and state levels in order
to monitor and check industrial pollution being created by the
industries.
(vi) Increased insurance costs to cover environmental damages.
(vii) Industrial policy be formulated at the nation state level and due
coverage be given to the industrial pollution and its impact on the
environment.
(viii) Three must be regulation for the environmental governance of industry.

Some of the strategies for Sustainable Industrial Development would be as

follows:

• Reduce to a minimum the amount of material in the manufacturing of

different products related to industrial output. For example reduce the
use of steel in motor vehicles many studies have shown that the quantity
of steel in motor vehicles has been significantly reduced over the past
two decades.

• Rationalize the use of energy in the process of production. Use the

materials which are less energy-intensive and more energy saving. In
order to improve production processes switch over to alternative or
renewable energy sources is required.

• There is a need for switch from toxic to non-toxic materials. For

example, use of lead-free gasoline and degradable pesticides.

• There is a need for shit focus from coal and oil use to gas and solar
energy use.

• Utilize waste materials of one industry as raw material for the other
186 industry which required it.
• Use materials which consume less energy, such as bulbs or refrigerators Industrilization and
Environment
which use less electricity. For example use of Led bulbs in India has
conserve energy and reduced the household expenditure on energy
consumption.

• Manufacture products from recyclable materials. Many innovative

practices are being found and those practices need to be replicated.

• Create products which are degradable and whose byproducts are non-
toxic.

• Design products which will have a minimal impact on the environment.

In other words, use of environmental friendly products. The banning of
single use plastic is one of such examples.

• Shift from the manufacture of products to the supply of services. For

example, the pesticide industry should provide integrated services for
biological and chemical control. Similarly, public transport services
should be substituted for private vehicles which are using energy
efficient transport system. For example the CNG driven vehicles are
being largely used by the private transport services in India.

• Prepare and publish the inventory of materials which enter and exit the
production process. Publish emission data so as to catalyze both the
community and the industrial plant to take steps for emission reduction.
Publicize the "environment-friendliness" of different products so as to
enable consumers to choose products with minimal environmental
impact.

• In these sessions you read about various aspects of globalization and

environment and now answer the questions given in Check Your
Progress-2

Check Your Progress 2

Note: a) Write your answer in about 50 words.

b) Check your answer with possible answers given at the end of the
unit.

2. Briefly explain the effect of industrialization on ecosystem.

……………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………….
…………………………………………………………………………….
187
Sustainable 2. Describe few steps to promote sustainable industrialization.
Environment and
Development
……………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………

2.7 LET US SUM UP

Industrialization and environment are linked; industry creates pollution which
affects of environment. In the industry Poor industrial labourer work under
hazardous and polluted conditions and are subject to increased threats to their
safety and health. In order to reduce the adverse effects of industrial activities
there is need to promote clean technology, which would be helpful for worker
health and safety. In this unit discussion has been made on industry and its
impact on environment.

2.8 REFERENCE AND SUGGESTED READINGS

Websites

Adopted from MDV-103, “Industry”, Issues and Challenges of

Development, of programme M A in Development Studies

https://www.debate.org/opinions/did-industrialization-make-life-better-for-
the-average-american
https://www.econlib.org/library/Enc/IndustrialRevolutionandtheStandardofLi
ving.html
https://www.longdom.org/articles/industrial-accidents-impact-on-
environment.pdf
https://www.resakss.org/node/6425
https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/industrialization

References

Lewis, W (1954): “Economic development with unlimited supplies of labor”,

Manchester School of Economic and Social Studies, 22(2), 139-191.

UNECA(2017): Urbanization and Industrialization for Africa’s

Transformation”, United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, Addis
Abba, Ethiopia.

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 Industrilization and
2.9 CHECK YOUR PROGRESS – POSSIBLE Environment
ANSWERS
Check Your Progress 1

1. Industrialization promotes economic growth: Explain

Answer: One of the key roles of industrialization is that it promotes

economic growth and development of the countries. China is an
illustrious example where industrialization plays an important role in the
economic growth of the countries. Many developing countries are also
emphasising on industrialization in order to promote economic growth
rate. The UNIDO was of the view that that industrialization will remain
the mainspring of the economic growth of developing countries and the
catalyst of their technological, financial and socio-economic
transformation.

2. Why urban demand could be a driver of industrial development:

Illustrate

Answer: Many cities are being started with the establishment of

industries. They are being named as industrial cities. The steel city of
Raurkela and Bhillai are the illustrious examples of nexus between the
urbanization and industrialization. Therefore it can be said that cities
require better performing industrialization and industrialization requires
better functioning cities. At the same time, industrialization and
urbanization face common challenges. Thus, the core message of the
report is that deliberate there is a positive nexus between the urbanization
and industrialization.

Check Your Progress 2

1. Briefly explain the effect of industrialization on ecosystem.

Answer: The Industrial Revolution triggered off in both developed as

well as in developing countries has marked a major turning point in
Earth’s ecology and humans’ relationship with their environment. It
dramatically changed every aspect of human life and lifestyles. From
human development, health and life longevity, to social improvements
and the impact on natural resources, public well-being, energy usage and
sanitation, the effects have been profound. The relationship between the
human being and the ecosystem has changed drastically and both them
are being effected by industrialization.
2. Describe few steps to promote sustainable industrialization.
Answer: Some of the steps to be taken for the sustainable
industrialization are narrated below.
(i) Industrialization need to take into consideration "clean" production
processes environment-friendly products. 189
Sustainable (ii) Comprehensive monitoring and supervision of all industrial plants
Environment and
Development and their pollution level certificate need to be issued to them.

(iii) Increased investments in pollution prevention and industrial waste

treatment. Required number of industrial waste treatment plants to
be established.

(iv) Introduction of need based changes in the production processes and

use of less pollution free material.

(v) The Green Tribunals be formed at the national and state levels in
order to monitor and check industrial pollution being created by the
industries.

190