Externalities

The rate of raw material consumption has rocketed over the last decade as in direct proportion to the rate of increase in consumption and population. But how come such a civilized bunch of people have no control over sustainability and welfare of the environment? Then what is the difference between a bushman and a civilized man? Both are the same I presume, or at least the Bushmen do not destroy the environment! Even if he does, it would be out of his ignorance and lack of knowledge, what about the civilized world? I always remember the saying: Short term benefit is a pathway or bed of roses to the farthest loss or deep pit!

A portable radio can be purchased for a fiver these days, at the same time, ten years ago the same product would have cost a tenner. This is when externalities jump in and save the consumer. As the age old theory of economics states: the demand and supply curve, when demand is higher, the supply is higher (directly proportional),when the demand is higher, the prices are lower (inversely proportional). So the seller would obviously search for avenues where he can manufacture the product at a minimum cost to reap the maximum benefit. The solution is, shifting of factories to places where labour cost and raw material cost would be cheaper. Low tax rates, and lack of environmental laws which are other reasons why big corporations like the US, UK, Australia, Russia have an eye on these developing nations for the windfall profits they are looking for. In other words they are jumping into these nations to reap the short term benefits. Globalisation is the norm of the century, where nations do not exist. This is liberation of companies from national obligation to exploit the benefits of the new global economy. The doors are open for trade and the World is seen as One. But why not the environmental laws? Why not execute environmental laws that would apply to any country irrespective of their economy.

Prices for iron, copper, tin, silver, gold, molybdenum (hard metal used in steel) have all increased by 300 to 500 % over the past decade. Of course it is good news that it provides income and employment to that nation, but in terms of sustainability nothing is being done. Legal miners can be monitored and managed to a sustainable level, but what about the illegal miners? Miners from the developing countries like Indonesia have been reported blasting river banks with pressure hoses, thereby destroying the ecosystem, contaminating the water body and poisoning the life in rivers, resulting in scarcity of drinking water and unemployment to the fishermen who thrive on these waters for their daily sustenance. The next issue is waste disposal after mining which consists of harmful chemicals like cyanide and manganese, often disposed off deep in the forests, which would eventually reach the rivers during the monsoon season. So where do we stand? What are these big NGO's like Greenpeace, Friends of the Earth doing at all? I just wonder!!!!

I have spoken already about seeing the world as one in terms of trade and economy....
Some guidelines to seeing the world as One in terms of environment........

This is were receiving nations have to be subjected to higher standards and environmental laws to take anything out of the donating nation. Therefore anything illegal can be controlled. Strict laws, management measures and regimes have to be implemented to attain the goal of sustainability. Only renewable resources should be made allowable to use. Providing alternative employment to illegal miners who obviously come under lower income groups, this is where the Government has to step in and provide income support, from the huge amount of tax that they collect from the working class! So the Government has to stop gulping in all the taxes and make use of it! The big bad wolf needs some taming, I am talking about the Government!! This is where celebrities or personalities of great power for eg: business men, should come forward and influence the Government. Or in other words, social work and concern for people and environment has to be our duty in the 21st century.

Ise Dise

The Plastic bag issue....
I hope I have mentioned previously that I refuse plastic bags wherever I go....sometimes I have my clothbags/ used plastic bags, handy with me.
Yesterday I went into a shop to buy a pair of shoes, the till operator scanned the item to purchase and started to pack up.....when I interrupted her and said 'no thanks I don't need a bag' and she went ok...and then I said 'I don't need the box at all...just the shoes please'...and then she started.........

ise di se ur e reliogione ?

I was like 'what??!!!'

From her accent I could guess she was from eastern Europe. But why drag religion into environment? Does it mean that refusing plastic bags is some kind of religious belief? or does any religion say not to use plastic bags? I was really aggravated by her question, but I controlled myself. Then what the hell is our job? haha.....but sometimes people get on my nerves! I must say that. People are so ignorant in this world, all they know is to work and shop and eat!! Gawdsake!

ise dise ure reliogione?

Sorry I'm just taking away my frustration!