Ignorance does not necessarily include an inability to read or write, and certainly illiterates are not necessarily ignorant. The faculty of reason is what chiefly distinguishes humans from other species. But even the most compelling speakers and writers are not necessarily reasonable. Some believe poverty is a problem only for those countries in which it persists, but it has an impact on virtually every nation. Improvements in communication technology have enabled citizens of all developed countries to be fully aware of human misery.
Widespread famine is recurrent despite superabundant food production.
Recognizing poverty as their primary problem, many countries have set up aggressive development programs with the sole objective of increasing their populations' standard of living. But, in many cases, local education cannot meet development-program needs with respect to numbers of skilled workers. Environmental-protection needs are given short shrift. Destitute people have little or no desire to protect the environment. There is a misconception within the environmentalist community that technological development and environmental protection are inherently incompatible.