Protesters were drawn to Miami last week as negotiators worked on the Free Trade Area of the Americas pact. One of the protestors’ concerns is that free trade is creating a “race to the bottom” in which developing countries lower their environmental standards to attract international business. But their fears are misplaced. Here’s why. At […]
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I recently spoke on the scientific and ecological issues of genetically modified foods. But many in the audience, as well as friends I meet at our co-op, were actually concerned about “globalization.” Some want to arrest the spread of the market economy and modern technology. They believe these are the root causes of environmental degradation […]
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Although the UN’s recent World Summit on Sustainable Development looked set to become simply another opportunity for environmentalists and Europeans to trash the US, leaders of developing countries injected a healthy dose of reality. Rather than submitting to the West’s eco-imperialism, poor countries were able to retain their freedom to pursue economic development as they […]
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Earth Day’s slogan, “Think globally, act locally,” has two implications, one physical, one mental. The easy physical stuff may ease guilt and give a sense of superiority, e.g., planting a tree, riding a bike to work or buying organic food. These are largely symbolic acts that make little difference unless they presage massive behavioral shifts. […]
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I just got a pair of running shoes. They’re great-lightweight and reasonably priced. A buddy commented, “Bet they’re made in some third world sweatshop. You shouldn’t have bought them”. I’m concerned about people making products under conditions I deplore. But will boycotting the company help anyone? I believe not. Here’s why: Reacting to millions of […]
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International trade, a vital component of the Northwest economy, has come under fire from a seemingly unlikely source: environmentalists. At issue is the recently concluded North American Free-Trade Agreement (NAFTA), between Canada, Mexico, and the United States. NAFTA would create the world’s largest free-trade zone, encompassing over 360 million people and $6.2 trillion worth of […]
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