Environmental Economic Awareness

In Harford’s chapter 8 called Beers Fries and Globalization, a topic named Globalization is Green is presented. I believe that one of the most important topics in society today is called ecological economics. In our world today, our environment takes backseat to our economic growth. Harford outlines three major concerns when looking at the world market.

Harford first makes very power statement when he says “the first concern is of a “race to the bottom,” where companies rush overseas to produce good under cheaper, more lenient environmental laws, while hapless governments oblige them by creating these laws.” This to me is like the easy way out, and unfortunately we see these types of companies; for example in the early 80’s Nike had alleged sweatshop workers, and practices of disregard for the environment. This “so called race to the bottom” does exist and it is a problem. We as consumers especially in the United States have been doing a better job when buying products such as E85 fuel which is better for the environment than gasoline.

In the chapter on Globalization, Harford brings up a second concern here companies move more and more product around, make more and more product; and it consequently is slowly destroying our environment. For example, I see this in the news when an oil tanker crashes in the ocean leaking millions of gallons of crude into the sea.

The third concern ties both the first and second together, and Harford describes as being a fear of increased production and trade will ultimately be harmful. Until we find methods of living which create less ware and tear on our environment and our resources. Harford even said that an entire book could be written on the subject. The two main points from Harford are definite highlights of the book for me and are increasingly meaningful to society as we move more into the future. I believe that ecological economics are going to be a huge topic to consider in the future. Some possible topics to consider when voting for the next president of the United States are how each candidate focuses on environmental economics.