Climate Change and Economic Growth in Developing Countries : A Conundrum for the Economic Community Of West African States (ECOWAS)

Essay from the year 2015 in the subject Politics - International Politics - Environmental Policy, The American University, Washington, DC (School of International Service), language: English, abstract: This paper has the purpose of examining the conception of economic growth and its implications under the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). It will attempt to find out if the ECOWAS is presently for or against a model of sustainable development in its status and in its actions. It will also examine if the community is eager to reconsider its development strategies, and propose what it could do to raise the living standard of its people, and to maintain and enhance economic stability within its members. The 21st century is said to be the century of the highest temperatures in the world. Scientists have come to affirm that human activities, especially in developed countries, are the main cause of serious environmental issues in developing ones. It appears that every country, now aware of the situation, has made several international agreements, which serve the purpose of mitigating the rise of temperatures in the world. These agreements require an effective and collective participation of countries, as well as sacrifices that could affect national development policies in developing countries. Generally, climate change mitigation texts are considered to be a contradiction to the old economic development process and to the development of the different traditional economic sectors. Countries on the path to a better economic status have to consider improving their citizens' situations while focusing on environmental protection . Some of them, like the European Union (EU), have chosen a regional approach which seems to be effective, and others would probably have to rethink their ways of improving their economic status; this paper will investigate the specific case of the ECOWAS. The ECOWAS, in its goal of "cooperation, integration, economic stability and development" should review its apprehension of economic growth in a world seriously affected by climate change.