ABSTRACT
The rapid economic development in the Newly Industrializing Economies or Newly Industrializing Countries (NIC)s has come at a price. Contrary to their economic successes, NICs have been much less successful in terms of ecological sustainability and environmental protection. For example, Brazil, Malaysia and Indonesia have abundant natural resources, but those riches notably their forest and soil reserves are being rapidly depleted. In addition, mega-cities in Mexico, Argentina and India suffer from increased air pollution, traffic congestion and a boom in the generation of solid waste. It is evident that NICs face new environmental challenges from urbanization and industrial growth. They need to improve their energy efficiency, develop non-fossil energy resources where possible, clamp down on air and water pollution, and encourage new technologies that minimize or prevent pollution. If economic development is to be sustainable in the long run, the state needs to manage and channel processes of industrialization and the environmental pressures these entail.
