Growth is still thought to be the panacea for all the major economic ills of the modern world (Daly, 2005), despite the fact that recent research carried out in some countries finds no significant correlation between growth and human development (undp, 2011). The extent of the impact of these problems is influenced by factors such as gender and geographical region. At the same time, natural catastrophes, desertification and biodiversity losses are also wreaking havoc, particularly among vulnerable groups.