2006 reached 12.6% as prices for oil, petrochemicals, and liquefied natural gas remained high, and foreign direct investment continued to grow to support expanded capacity in the energy sector (CIA 2007).
The growing economy resulted in changes in the landscape of Trinidad and Tobago from the 1970’s to present. Development activities have left the country with an “environment deficit” (EMA 1996). The rapid industrialization and urbanization is resulting in many environmental implications and is continuing to exert pressure on the landscape. The environmental deficit and implications are manifested in the form of industrial and domestic pollution of the rivers and coastal water, loss and alterations of forest habitats and watersheds, the degradation of marine ecosystems, loss of wetlands and loss of agricultural productivity (CSO 2007). With the government’s initiative of acquiring first world or developed nation status by the year 2020, greater land use and land cover changes will occur.
An analysis of the current situation with regards to key ecosystem services provided by the natural environment alarmingly indicates that there is much work to be done (Ministry of Finance and Planning 2006). In the country’s pursuit of economic development, the aspect of irreversibility must be considered, in the context of environmental degradation and loss of biodiversity.
In recent years, rapid urbanization and development has fragmented natural landscapes and reduced the viability of species that play an important functional role in ecosystems (EMA 1996). One may examine the state of the natural vegetation cover of the country to support these conclusions. In Trinidad and Tobago it can be observed that one danger of economic diversification is that it comes at the expense of the natural resource. While the country’s economic growth appears to be an effective measure of improving the quality of life, it represents a temporary solution, if it is achieved through resource depletion and the permanent destruction of the ecological capital (EMA 1996).
The environment and development are inseparable. Development cannot survive upon a deteriorating environment resource base and the environment cannot be protected when growth leaves out the costs of environmental destruction (WCED 1987). Hence, failure to manage the environment and to sustain development threatens to overwhelm all countries. Consequently, new development models have been developed to replace the traditional method of development.
Sustainable development is a development path that meets the major needs of the present without endangering subsequent needs and aspirations of future generation allowing for the conservation of nature (Gotlieb 1996). Sustainability is a process involving people, institution, natural resources and the environment. Sustainability is an attempt to provide the best outcomes for the human and natural environments both now and into the indefinite future (Munier 2005). It requires that the bio-physical “limit to growth” guide the utilization of natural recourses or life support systems (Barbados Ministry of Housing 2004).