International Relations of Global Environmental Change - Essay Example

? International Relations of Global Environmental Change Inserts His/Her Inserts Grade Inserts (19, April, 2011) Introduction The rapid industrialization in the 20th century has changed the modern economic outlook of the world. Global trade today has become extremely essential for any country’s economy and without it no country can prosper. With evolution of industries the world has also seen rapid growth in environmental problems. Emission of harmful gases and global warming are problems that are haunting the whole world today. United Nations and other organizations are trying very hard to curtail the problem of global warming but these efforts seem to be insufficient. With increasing concerns over global warming harsh policies are proposed in order to curb the problem and restrictions on global trade is a major part of these policies. In this essay the conflict between environmental protection and global trade will be discussed. Suggestions will also be made regarding solving this conflict. Global Trade and Environment Global trade is has a potential to damage the environment and increase global warming. The reason for this is that not all countries in the world use environmentally friendly ways to produce goods. In many countries strict protocols are not followed and materials like lead and carbon are used in production of goods. This can cause damage to environment in great ways. The framework of World Trade Organization is often criticized for not being able to cater to the environmental problems caused by global trade (Zhu, Yun. 2002). Environmentalist groups ask for more stern actions in order to protect environment from deteriorating further due to international trade. Developed countries also have concerns over environmental problems caused by global trade. It is important to understand however the problems of implementing stern policies. The consequences of these policies on environment will be highly negative and this may decrease international trade drastically. Developing world is lacking the technology to produce environmental friendly products (Matsumura, A. 2010). They are taking initiatives but it will take a lot of time for any major change. In such situation where developing world in lacking resources, the strict policies for environmental protection can cause damage to their economy and to the world as well. Reducing global trade can lead the world into a financial crunch. This is why World Trade Organization cannot take up strict policies regarding global trade. International trade needs to be encouraged in order to maintain the economic prosperity in the world. Countries like South Korea and Taiwan have an export oriented economy. If the global trade is reduced then their economy will suffer badly. Also the world cannot just ban products from the developing world because they are producing high quality cheap products. The same products cannot be produced with similar costs in the developed world. This means that the world economy will also suffer if developing countries are forced to abide by the environmental protection law. People all over the world will have to pay high costs for products and economies of developing countries will suffer as a result of strict restrictions on global trade. This is the reason why global trade cannot be curtailed over environmental concerns. Also developing countries are not in favor of environmental protection laws. They argue that the developed world was allowed to use the methods of production and this contributed to their growth and dominance today. Now when the developing world is following in their footsteps then they are being rebuked and stopped. Environmental laws are seen by many as methods by which developed world is trying to hinder the economic growth of developing world. This is another reason why tensions exist between environmental protection and global trade. Developing world sees this as an opportunity to expand its economy while any strict environmental policies will do otherwise. Another reason for tensions between environmental protection and global trade is the idea that environmental protection should be seen as a comparative advantage and by forcing all the countries to raise their standards to a same level competition will decrease (Xu, Yang, & Lin. 2005). This idea holds weight because any country will raise its level of environmental protection only when the benefit of implementing such techniques will exceed its cost (Xu, Yang, & Lin. 2005). By forcing something upon the developing world will decrease their productivity and kill competition. Countries slowly try to raise their level when it comes to environmental protection but this is done only after a certain level of development has been done. This was particularly seen in the case of Singapore where in 1992 an environmental friendly scheme was introduced (Ecolabel Index, 2010). This was only then after the country had reached a level of development. Any effort by the world to forcefully implement such schemes will cause serious problems for the developing world. Due to lack of infrastructure their economies will be affected as a result. Global interdependence is increasing in the world today because this benefits all parties involved (Jackson, J. 1992). Countries get an opportunity to sell their products worldwide and on the other hand they also try to focus on their main products in order to gain competitive advantage over others. This is an age of specialization and it is important for countries to produce few products in which they can achieve economies of scale. It is vital to have a competitive advantage in one or more field and countries are striving to do so. As a result they are depending on other countries for products in which they do not enjoy competitive advantage. In this way global interdependence is increasing and in such a situation environmental protection has to take a back seat. This does not mean that the case of environmental protection is getting weaker and weaker. International organizations and treaties like NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement) have taken into account environmental issues and have beefed up protection of natural habitat. There have been laws introduced that restricts countries from using environmentally harmful material (Global Change Instruction Program, 2009). But still these efforts are not nearly satisfactory for the environmentalist groups all over the world. There are many loop holes in the legislation regarding environmental protection in world trade and this allows countries to export goods that may be harmful for environmental (Global Change Instruction Program, 2009). The conflict between global trade and environment protection is significant, and the importance of global trade is immense but at the same time it is important to note that the damage caused to the environment as a result of global trade is not negligible. The figures of carbon dioxide emission are a good measure of the problem caused by industrialization of developing countries. The CO2 emission growth in middle income countries between 1990 and 2005 is 39.3 percent as compared to the figure of developed world which is 19.1 percent (World Bank, 2009). This shows the problem of the developing world. The industrialization process in the developing world is far more dangerous to the environment than the developed world. Trade embargos on the developing countries can force them to abide by the strict environmental laws but this will decrease their production and may have effect on their economy. Some people argue that environmental friendly ways are beneficial for the developing world too and so they should be forced upon them. According to this school of thought the developing world will adopt environmental protection measures under threat. The problem is with the intent of the developing world. They are not interested in bearing the extra cost and when they will be cornered then they will have to other option but to innovate and come up with environmental friendly technologies. This group argues strict policies because they will eventually lead the developing countries to prosperity because high pollution levels are not good for the developing world itself. The focus should be on long run sustainable growth rather than short term benefit. Trade embargoes will help because countries will develop its industries if it faces threat of international boycott. The desired effect can be achieved and world pollution can decrease. The aim is to reduce pollution caused by the developing countries by reducing their profits from international trade. Countries will be afraid of lower exports and they will have no option but to develop its industrial base according to the international policies regarding environment. Free trade has also caused inequality in countries alongside with pollution therefore it is advised that government should keep a check on global trade according to some people. They argue that Multi National companies exploit environment and earn abnormal profits as a result (Socialism Today, 1999). This is presented as a reason to curtail global trade and in turn save environment. Global trade increases pollution by bringing products that are not environmental friendly into the developed world and this causes a two dimensional disadvantage. This is another reason why global trade and environmental protection is in conflict with each other. Trade is extremely important, and everyone is aware of its importance but environmental protection is also essential. Sustainable development is very important for the world because without the planet there will be no development. This is why environment should also be protected and nature should be preserved. The main problem is the cost of environment and the cost of absence of free trade. The world has to identify which cost is more important. The damage done to environment is also great but the world economy is also essential for the economic prosperity of the world. Global trade will be affected if any embargoes are set because developing world will not be able to upgrade its industries in a short time. On the other hand environment will be at risk if ecologically dangerous products are produced and exported to all corners of the world. Recommendations for decreasing the tensions between Environment and Global Trade The first step world organizations should take is to develop policies that are targeted towards saving environment without the expense of decrease in global trade. This will be an ideal situation. Governments of developed countries can encourage countries to use environmental friendly ways of production by offering them aid. Restriction of global trade will be an extreme step and that may cause problem for the whole world so this should be avoided. It is important to understand that developed world is not producing eco-friendly products because it does not have the technology to do so. Anny restrictions will only hurt their economy. The problem of environment can only be solved by international cooperation between countries (Schoenbaum, T. 1992). This can be done in the form of aid and technology transfer. Governments of the developed world should provide the developing countries with assistance in order to protect environment on a global scale. Technology should be shared between the rich and developing world in order to help the developing countries follow international standards of environment. This can significantly reduce pollution and can save environment but this is not done because of political reasons mostly. International standards are set like ISO 14000 but the effect of these has not been excellent because they are used as non tariff trade barriers (Murray, P. 1997). People in the developing world fear these standards because they are costly to follow and can reduce competition instead of increasing it. With the help of international organizations developing countries should be given proper aid to follow such standards. Steps are taken in this regard and Kyoto Protocol and other initiatives have been successful. But more needs to be done because developing world is still producing goods that are harmful for environments. The threat of trade barriers cannot stop pollution. Aid and technology transfer can only help the world in reducing the issues regarding environment. Conclusion The rift between environmental protection and trade liberalization is not new. Since the world became aware of the environmental concerns and their dangerous consequences this debate started. Global trade is essential for the world so it cannot be stopped but at the same time development at the expense of environment is also not a wise option. Developed world needs to assist the developing countries in reducing their CO2 emission levels and only then the problem can be resolved. Bibliography Conflicts between International Trade Law and International Environmental Protection Efforts. 2009. Global Change Instruction Program. Accessed on April 19, 2011. < http://www.ucar.edu/communications/gcip/m3elaw/m3pdfc4.pdf> Jackson, J. 1992. World Trade Rules and Environmental Policies: Congruence or Conflict, Washington & Lee Law Review, Fall Little Green Data Book. 2009. The World Bank. Accessed on April 19, 2011. < http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/TOPICS/ENVIRONMENT/EXTEEI/0,,contentMDK:22180399~pagePK:148956~piPK:216618~theSitePK:408050,00.html> Matsumura, A. 2010. Global Warming and International Trade: The Role of Economic Cooperation between Developed and Developing Countries for Sustainable Economic Growth, Forum on Public Policy. Accessed on April 19, 2011. < http://forumonpublicpolicy.com/spring2010.vol2010/spring2010archive/matsumura.pdf> Murray, P. 1997. The International Environmental Management Standard, ISO14000: A non Tariff Barrier or a step to an emerging global environmental policy, The Journal of International Law, Vol. 18 Issue 2, 577-615 Schoenbaum, T. 1992. Free International Trade and Protection of the Environment: Irreconcilable Conflict? The American Journal of International Law, Vol. 86, Issue 4, 700-727 Singapore Green Label Scheme (SGLS). (2010). Eco Label Index. Accessed on April 19, 2011. < http://www.ecolabelindex.com/ecolabel/singapore-green-label-scheme-sgls> WTO. 1999. Socialism Today, Issue 43. Accessed on April 19, 2011. Xu, Yang, & Lin. 2005. Conflict between Free Trade and Environment Protection ------where we go and what we do tomorrow, Law Bridge. Accessed on April 19, 2011. < http://www.law-bridge.net/english/LAW/20055/1322270722504.html> Zhu, Yun. 2002. Trade and environmental protection within the World Trade Organization framework, University of British Columbia. Read More