Argumentative Essay:
The world economy is standing on the pillar of international trade. The origin of global market the import and export between two countries are the basics of International trade. If you are buying a sports shoe in your locality that is made in Korea then this is the benefit of International trade. If you are able eat salmon fish of Japan in the UK, then this is another great example of international trade. Likewise iron ore, mango fruits, apples, leather jacket and all the products available across the globe at their best quality can be attributed to the import and export arising from international trade . International trade mostly uses the environment as its basic source. If we look at the dark side of international trade, it is highly toxic due to the environmental hazards and other environmental issues that it generates. Environmental pollution, killing of endangered animals, deforestation, ozone depletion, sewage management, global warming, weather change and other environmental issues are, in one way or another, linked to international trade . International trade not only harms the natural environment but also the day to day lives of people.
Though international trade has been continuing from the 18th century when the barter system collapsed and the new exchange medium evolve in the form of currency. Since then, the environment had been witness to continuous damage by international trade. However, these effects were going mostly unnoticed. The environmental issues first came to light when the US refused to import tuna fish from Mexico in the year 1991, under the US Marine Mammal Protection Act. As per the law ,the Mexicans used a traditional method of fishing tuna fish which involved killing dolphins in huge numbers unnecessarily. On the other hand WTO does not prohibit any country from importing such products even though there is certainty of the production e=being a result of animal or environmental abuse. WTO only bans products and exports that have a direct and confirmed impact on the health of human citizens of a country importing the goods in question. However, this is a very short sighted and impractical approach to take when creating international laws governing trade as one has to acknowledge that human beings are a part of an intricate and delicate ecosystem and even minute changes to the environment can have a major impact on our lives .
The international trade requires massive logistics and transportation resources. As globalization of trade takes place, there is a correlated growth in industries that in turn leads to an increase in the consumption of fossil fuels. It has been known for decades that the burning of fossil fuels is a major contributor of air, land and water pollution, in addition to having a negative impact on the ozone layer. Global warming, one of the biggest environmental concerns of the century, has also been linked to the growing use of fossil fuels by industries. It is ironic that, as the use and availability of sun screens and beauty creams grows in developing nations, the trade that results in the production and distribution of these products is resulting in heightened dangers of contracting serious illnesses such as skin cancer. Cargo ships ploughing the oceans not only emit toxic gases into the air but also leak hazardous substances into the ocean. This is one of the major causes f several marine flora and fauna species being endangered as well as the disruption of marine ecosystems. Ships pollute sea water and make it toxic and reduce the oxygen content capacity .
The UN Global Compact has declared some environmental principles for global companies that are to be followed as per the Environmental Stewardship strategy. This has been developed by the United Nation Global Compact and DuKe University as a vehicle to implement these environmental principles by the corporate giants that are involved in international trade and commerce. This strategy, if implemented by the companies would reduce rapid climate change, water scarcity, polluted water, air, soil, ecological damage of flora and fauna, reduction of atmospheric temperature, sewage management, maintain hygienic conditions of living, eating and dressing, prevent deforestation and many more benefits registered .
Power plants are the main consumers of water as a resource. The iron or other ore refineries also need huge amounts of water. Industries are taking this water from the natural water bodies and could be the reason of depleting ground water levels. Water has been traditionally been considered an unlimited natural resource. However, with the polar ice caps melting and mountainous glaciers in-land quickly depleting, there has been a growing concern in the past two decades that global warming may have a two pronged impact on the environment. The melting of ice caps may lead to a rise in sea levels, thereby submerging several islands and reducing land area of continents . On the other hand, fast paced depletion of in-land glacial water and underground water levels has led to lesser consumable water being available for use by people who rely on natural sources of water. When these sources are further burdened by industries, it is not only the environment that suffers but also local residents .
Governments as well as international organizations have introduced several policies aimed at environmental protection and preservation against the ill effects of international trade. These policies include environmental regulations and public policies implemented for reducing environmental degradation through international trade . Although the world has become increasingly globalized, there are several regions in every country that have not yet witnessed the advent of international trade. It is in these areas that one can see the greatest degree of difference when compared to industrialized towns and cities. These, supposedly, lesser developed regions have fewer environmental issues and their people lead healthier lives. Similarly, nations that have, at the onset of industrialization, taken measures to safeguard their natural resources and environment have also seen limited degradation. This reveals that, through the timely creation and effective implementation of environmental policies, international trade can co-exist with environmental well-being .
If we consider bringing about positive changes in current and future environmental issues arising from international trade, we cannot rely on WTO as most of the countries are not members of WTO. It is also very difficult to create and sign an International agreement for the establishment of a non-profitable trade policy . Companies must not only obey the laws of the country in which they are based but also obey the rule and regulation of the other countries in which they established their businesses and operations. However, there are several countries that do not have environmental policies of their own. In such a case, companies are making their own rules and continue to damage the environment. The recent oil spill disaster of British Petroleum is a shocking example of how poorly managed operations can have a major impact on global environment .
The global economy is very competitive now. Developed countries are competing to remain in top position and developing countries are trying to catch up with the develop countries. In such a scenario, environmental protection and preservation is often sacrificed in favour of lowering operational costs and driving maximum profits. No country ever shows any interest in protecting the environment by forming policies that would make international trade difficult. Developed countries have recently been the subject of outrage against their ‘dumping’ practices, where hazardous wastes were being dumped in third world and developing countries in order to exploit the loopholes in their government’s environmental policies. By doing so, the developed countries were able to bypass their own laws. However, the negative impact on the environment remains the same, whether it occurs on home ground or foreign shores .
Works Cited
Cordero, P., Sepulveda, S. & Rodriguez, A., 2004. Rural Development - Trade and Environmental Issues. [Online] Available at: http://repiica.iica.int/docs/B0733i/B0733i.PDF[Accessed 1 March 2013].
Harris, J. M., 2008. Trade and Environment. [Online] Available at: http://www.eoearth.org/article/Trade_and_the_environment[Accessed 1 March 2013].
Heakal, R., 2012. What is international trade?. [Online] Available at: http://www.investopedia.com/articles/03/112503.asp#axzz2M57Ev89l[Accessed 1 March 2013].
Manzoni, J., 2005. Which are the key challenges facing the global company of the future?. [Online] Available at: http://www.bp.com/genericarticle.do?categoryId=98&contentId=7009879[Accessed 1 March 2013].
ScienceDaily, 2012. BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Execerbated Existing Environmental Problems in Louisiana Marshes. [Online] Available at: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/06/120625152256.htm[Accessed 1 March 2013].
Sutherland, S., 2012. Polar ice melting, sea levels rising point to major risks to Canada's coasts. [Online] Available at: http://ca.news.yahoo.com/blogs/geekquinox/polar-ice-melting-sea-levels-rising-point-major-171002198.html[Accessed 1 March 2013].
UN Global Impact, 2010. Environmental Stewardship Strategy. [Online] Available at: http://www.unglobalcompact.org/Issues/Environment/environmental_stewardship_strategy.html[Accessed 1 March 2013].
UNGC-Duke, 2010. Envirnmental Stewardship Strategy: Overview and Resource for Corporate Leaders. [Online] Available at: http://www.unglobalcompact.org/docs/issues_doc/Environment/Environmental_Stewardship_Strategy.pdf[Accessed 1 March 2013].
