Can We Have Free Trade and Reduce Pollution of the...

Can We Have Free Trade and Protect the Environment? nbsp; Endorsing free trade is easy. Ask an Economics professor why free trade is good and you will surelynbsp; be shown a graph with three or more intersecting lines that show a higher rate of output for nations that participate in free trade than nations that do not. Opposing free trade, at least on economic grounds, is a bit harder-unless you are an environmentalist. nbsp; The economic advantages of free trade were recently brought to light at the meeting of North and South American nations in Quebec City last month to discuss the proposed Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA). The proposed agreement would reduce tariff barriers on everything from†¦show more content†¦Not surprisingly, exemption from U.S. environmental regulations has led to toxic releases of PCBs, pesticide sprays, chlorine compounds, phenols, and hazardous wastes in areas of Mexico designated as maquilas, or free trade zones. Inequalities between national environmental standards have also hurt U.S. firms by reducing the costs of production abroad, and thus the price competitiveness of U.S. industries in all NAFTA markets. Extended to cover the entire American hemisphere, inequality in environmental standards could lead to even more environmental damages by precipitating a race to the bottom where individual countries shuffle to lower their environmental standards relative to other states in order to attract investment from wealthy countries. Environmental standards in Mexico have failed to progress in the last eight years precisely for this reason. nbsp; But are environmental standards so necessary? Environmental protection seems expensive for less developed countries and is frequently seen as the luxury of rich nations. Yet evidence from econometric analysis of the influence of environmental standards on economic growth shows this simply is not true. The link between environmental protection and economic growth is particularly strong for developing countries, whose growth rates are particularly sensitive to changes in the supply and productivity of human capital. nbsp;Show MoreRelatedWhy Cap And Trade Is A Better Solution857 Words   |  4 PagesAndrew Moylan, a conservative who advocates free market and limited government, has argued that carbon tax is the less complex and better guarantee solution to carbon reduction; however, the main purpose of this paper is to rebut his argument and to present why Cap-and-Trade is a better solution compare to other solution in controlling variables, ensuring social justice and last expanding global regulation on carbon dioxide. In which how cap and trade can reduce carbon emission and save the earth fromRead MoreGlobal Warming Essay1165 Words   |  5 Pagesin global warming and increasing pollution levels, it is becoming essential to find a viable alternative to decrease greenhouse gas (CO2) emissions, policy makers and international organizations have proposed agreements and regulations. This paper examines the regulation of cap and trade and investigates the impact of the decisions on the environmen t and the economy. A variety of jurisdictions at international and national levels have set policy targets to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases whereRead MoreThe Pros And Cons Of Cap And Trade1055 Words   |  5 PagesCap and trade is a cost-effective method for reducing greenhouse gas emission/pollution. 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Through this research and the study of historic environmental events, it has been determined t hat the Earth’s climate changes from warmer to cooler over thousands of years dueRead MoreGlobalization : A World Wide Movement Essay1267 Words   |  6 Pagesthe course we explored the integration and interdependence of various nations, which ultimately shapes world affairs on a global level.Evidently, growth of the developing countries is the main cause of globalization and it brings both opportunities and disadvantages to them. There are numerous ways in which globalization has impacted the world today.The course also created great emphasis on what it means to be a Global Citizen. Some of these include modification of worldwide environment, global economyRead MoreThe Kyoto Protocol Extension Is Worthwhile859 Words   |  4 Pagesimplications, (2) cost-benefit analysis, and (3) global ethics. Policy and Economic Implications. The environment is a type of public good, and the market usually does not adequately protect the common resources which forces global community to bear the cost of environmental degradation and other negative consequences thus causing dead-weight loss and market failure. This is known as the classic â€Å"free rider† problem and the paradox known as the â€Å"tragedy of the commons† (Mankiw, 2012, p. 224). NegativeRead MoreTax And Its Effect On Society Essay1350 Words   |  6 Pagestwo types. They are direct and indirect tax. If tax and it s burden cannot be shifted upon others and burden of tax must have to be faced by those upon whom tax has imposed, then the tax is known as direct tax. Income tax, property tax, profit tax etc are some of its measure examples. Similarly those types of tax which is imposed on person or an institutions but its burden can be shifted to another person is called indirect tax. VAT, sales tax, custom duty are some of its examples. There are various