- A. Environmental sustainability is inimical to our objective of achieving a high rate of GDP growth.
- B. Poverty eradication is not possible without a rapid economic growth and the consequent environmental degradation.
- C. Maintaining high environmental standards is now a prerequisite for achieving a steady, sufficient and inclusive growth.
- D. With large populations, rampant poverty and limited resources of today's world, environmental degradation cannot be prevented and inequalities are inevitable.
Answer: C
Explanation
The passage advocates for ‘green growth’ and ‘rethinking growth strategies’ to ensure ‘environmental sustainability’ in a ‘resource-constrained world.’ It explicitly states that ‘efficient and resource frugal development strategies’ are necessary to ‘avoid an economic dead end or a world in which only a small elite is able to enjoy affluence in the midst of a sea of poverty.’ This clearly implies that upholding high environmental standards is now a fundamental requirement for achieving growth that is steady, sufficient, and inclusive for all. Option (A) contradicts the passage’s call for green growth. Option (B) is also contrary to the passage’s message of sustainable development. Option (D) presents a pessimistic view that the passage aims to counter by proposing new strategies for avoiding such outcomes. This question tests the ability to grasp the core message and policy implication of the passage.