If the “Environmental Kuznets’ Curve” is true, then which of the following statements must be false?

Question

If the “Environmental Kuznets’ Curve” is true, then which of the following statements must be false?

BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

To approach this question, I’ll evaluate each statement in light of the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC), which posits an inverted U-shaped relationship between a country’s income level and its environmental degradation: pollution tends to rise in early to middle stages of development and then decline as a country becomes wealthier and can invest in cleaner technologies and institutions.
Option 1: 'Poor countries, with dispersed rural agricultural populations, are typically the least polluting.' This can be misleading. While aggregate pollution per capita is often lower in low-income, rural economies, there are many contexts where pollution from agricultural practices, deforestation, or mining can be significant. Thus, this statement is not universally true and is not the one that must be false under EKC.
Option 2: 'Rich countries are those that are characterized by the greatest demands for a clean environment – clean air, clean water, national parks, etc.' This describes a typical high-income phase, where environmental standards and demand for protection are strong. This statement aligns with expectations about rich economies, so it is not the must-be-false option.
Option 3: 'Once a country has passed the point when its economy is based on primarily on manufacturing, further economic growth is associated with a cleaner environment.' This reflects the second, downward-sloping branch of the EKC, where pollution begins to decline as a country shifts toward services, technology, and cleaner production methods. This is consistent with EKC logic, so it is not the must-be-false option.
Option 4: 'Countries go through different stages – from an economy based on natural resources, to one based on manufacturing, to one based on services, technology, and knowledge generation.' This describes the typical structural transition often discussed in development and pollution literature and is compatible with EKC narratives, so it is not the must-be-false option.
Option 5: 'Rich countries, which typically encompass more concentrated and urbanized populations, are generally the most polluting.' This statement contradicts the core EKC idea if one interprets 'most polluting' as the peak of pollution associated with higher-income economies. Under EKC, pollution tends to peak at mid-development and then decline; thus, rich countries are not typically the most polluting. Therefore, this is the statement that must be false given the EKC framework.
In summary, options 2 through 4 align with EKC reasoning or common development narratives, option 1 is context-dependent but not definitively false, while option 5 directly conflicts with the EKC’s inverted U expectation about where pollution peaks. Consequently, option 5 is the incorrect (must-be-false) statement in the context of the EKC.

AEM2300/ECON2300 Prelim 2 (April 18th, 7:30 PM - 9:30 PM)

If the “Environmental Kuznets’ Curve” is true, then which of the following statements must be false?

View Explanation

Log in for full answers

Similar Questions

The Environmental Kuznets Curve suggests that economic growth _____ promotes environmental quality.

Empirical trends ______ the Environmental Kuznets Curve.

The Environmental Kuznets Curve suggests that economic growth _____ promotes environmental quality.

Empirical trends ______ the Environmental Kuznets Curve.

Question at position 3 The shape of an Environmental Kuznets curve is...Inverted-U shapedincreasing at an increasing rate.U-shapeddecreasing at a decreasing rate.

If the “Environmental Kuznets’ Curve” discussed in class is true, then which of the following statements must be false?

Suppose a given country has an Environmental Kuznet’s Curve of the following form: SO2/person = 100 + 200(income/person) – 0.005(income/person)2. If income per person increased by $1,000 from $10,000 to $11,000, what would happen to SO2 per person?

In a consumer society, many adults channel creativity into buying things

More Practical Tools for Students Powered by AI Study Helper

Homework AI Solver

Stylized AI Paper Writer

Plagiarism Checker Assistant

Citation AI Academic Writing Tool

In-Class Translation Assistant

AI Note Generator

AI Quiz Answers

Past Exam Questions from University Test Bank

Smart Practice Assistant

Adaptive Practice

Making Your Study Simpler