Combating the Global Environmental Pollution *

Abstract:

The caselet discusses the hazards of increasing industrial wastes and the need to curb global environmental pollution levels. It pays special attention to the increasing pollution levels along the US-Mexican border caused by the concentration of industries just inside the border (Maquiladora) in Mexico and the negligent enforcement of environmental laws. It also focuses on the Basel Convention, which is aimed at reducing the risks posed to human health and the environment due to improper management of wastes and pollutants.

Issues: » Increasing global pollution levels. » Control measures to curb global pollution. » High pollution levels along the US-Mexico border. » Action against global pollution through inter-country agreements. » Problems in enforcing the Basel Convention. Introduction One of the serious challenges facing the world today is how to deal with increasing air pollution, uncontrolled piling up of garbage, water scarcity, and global climate change or global warming, among many other problems of environmental degradation. Pollution has had an adverse impact on the quality of life. Unfortunately, in most cases, the damage cannot be undone. We have a number of international trade agreements and cooperative economic forums around the world like the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and...

Questions for Discussion:

1. Suggest some measures that can be taken by countries with common borders like the US and Mexico to combat environmental pollution problems that arise due to their economic interaction.
2. Do you consider the Basel Convention as a step in the right direction to tackle the environment pollution? Justify.

Key words:
General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), Maquiladora program, Inter-country agreements, waste export agreement, Basel Convention, Waste Export Control Act.

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