The four sentences (labelled 1, 2, 3 and 4) below, when properly sequenced, would yield a coherent paragraph. Decide on the proper sequencing of the order of the sentences and key in the sequence of the four numbers as your answer:

1. From chemical pollutants in the environment to the damming of rivers to invasive species transported through global trade and travel, every environmental issue is different and there is no single tech solution that can solve this crisis.
2. Discourse on the threat of environmental collapse revolves around cutting down emissions, but biodiversity loss and ecosystem collapse are caused by myriad and diverse reasons.
3. This would require legislation that recognises the rights of future generations and other species that allows the judiciary to uphold a much higher standard of environmental protection than currently possible.
4. Clearly, our environmental crisis requires large political solutions, not minor technological ones, so, instead of focusing on infinite growth, we could consider a path of stable-state economies, while preserving markets and healthy competition.

Question

The four sentences (labelled 1, 2, 3 and 4) below, when properly sequenced, would yield a coherent paragraph. Decide on the proper sequencing of the order of the sentences and key in the sequence of the four numbers as your answer:

1. From chemical pollutants in the environment to the damming of rivers to invasive species transported through global trade and travel, every environmental issue is different and there is no single tech solution that can solve this crisis.
2. Discourse on the threat of environmental collapse revolves around cutting down emissions, but biodiversity loss and ecosystem collapse are caused by myriad and diverse reasons.
3. This would require legislation that recognises the rights of future generations and other species that allows the judiciary to uphold a much higher standard of environmental protection than currently possible.
4. Clearly, our environmental crisis requires large political solutions, not minor technological ones, so, instead of focusing on infinite growth, we could consider a path of stable-state economies, while preserving markets and healthy competition.

Accepted Answer

The correct sequence is **2143**, as it logically develops the argument about environmental crises:

- **Sentence 2** introduces the discourse on environmental collapse and highlights that biodiversity loss and ecosystem collapse stem from diverse causes beyond emissions reduction.  
- **Sentence 1** elaborates on these diverse causes by listing examples such as chemical pollutants, damming of rivers, and invasive species.  
- **Sentence 4** transitions to a conclusion that emphasizes the need for political solutions over technological fixes and proposes stable-state economies as an alternative to infinite growth.  
- **Sentence 3** builds on this conclusion by suggesting legislative measures to uphold higher standards of environmental protection for future generations and other species.

This sequence ensures coherence by expanding on the problem (21), proposing a solution (4), and detailing its implementation (3).