Estefania Velez
December 4, 2013
GVPT
Throughout
the decades China has evolved into one of the most industrialized and wealthy
nations in the world. They take the lead with about 19% of the world’s
population all living in the southern half of Asia. These things however, come
with negative consequences. China may be well known for having many factories,
but it is also known for having the greatest environmental issues in the world.
In his article “The Tragedy of the Commons”, Hardin argues that free access to
non-permanent resources that are needed for survival (e.g. oceans, the
atmosphere) will end up affecting humanity as a whole because these sources
will quickly diminish if they are not regulated wisely.
China
is a prime example of this because although industrialization has provided a
large boost in their economy, the smog levels in Beijing alone surpass the
levels that the World Health Organization declares hazardous. The amount of
cars that travel through that city alone and the factories that let smoke out
every day are enough to affect the atmosphere in ways that will end up hurting
the us in the near future. In a way, pollution goes hand in hand with excessive
energy use because every steel factory that causes the smog in the air uses and
takes up large amounts of energy from natural resources. Hardin claims that we try so hard to be
independent and successful that we end up “fouling our own nest” without
realizing that we are doing nothing but setting ourselves up for failure (349).
Hardin
also believes that over-population is one of our greatest flaws because
everyone is born believing that we have unlimited rights to the commons
therefore making us take them for granted. China is known for having the
largest population in the world and although they limit each family to having
only one child, that does not take away from the fact that as any population
enlarges, chemical and biological recycling begin to overload, more welfare
laws need to be created, and people become so caught up in their lives that
they forget not to pollute the water and not to liter. What is worse is that
not only are us humans hurting ourselves, we are affecting the wildlife and the
habitats of many animals that live in the rivers and grasslands that are being
contaminated and being cut down. In China, many of the rivers have become
factory sewers and many of them cannot be purified for human consumption.
Unfortunately,
China is not the only country that has issues with global warming, pollution
and all of the other consequences that come from depleting our natural
resources. In the long run, this all interferes with international relations
because there are nations who may not agree with China’s ways and could cease
trade with them, or threaten them to set laws for their regulations. As Hardin
describes these issues in his article, I begin to see what can happen not too
long from now and it is time for the government to regulate the use of the
commons and for people to speak up about protecting the world we live on because
if we continue to follow China’s footsteps, there will not be a world to live
on.
I also think that a country who is rapidly industrializing contributes the most pollutants, causing more global warming. But, for China to reduce the amount of pollutants they allow to be produced, they need to implement some type of a tax. But then again, I don't know if they can do that being a Communist country.
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree that there is a great environmental price society, as a whole, pays when a country industrializes and shifts their focus to manufacturing. There is, however, a growing green manufacturing sector that deserves more attention that holds the power to change the nature of what it means to industrialize and thrive economically while mitigating environmental degradation. In response to Yasemin, although China is technically communist, it is more authoritative and capitalistic; current leadership has the power to make meaningful change and lessen their environmental footprint and solve pressing issues in their country such as air and water pollution. Implementing these policies, however, may hurt manufacturing and as a result, china's economy, therefore, past leaders have given little priority to environmental policies.
ReplyDeleteI also agree with you about the fact that industrialization, especially in China, is detrimental to the environment and it affects everyone. Sadly, I do not think that this will be easily fixed anytime soon since manufacturing is a large source of revenue for many nations and because of self-interest, this will not be sacrificed. Something drastic and severe will have to happen to the environment in order for action to happen.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your argument because the tragedy of the commons is definately negatively effecting the environment and I like how you included the fact that everyone is born believing they have a right to the commons, because I believe this is why they are being overused because everyone feels entitled to common resources. I agree with Amanda as well, because China makes a large profit through manufacturing it is very unlikely that they will make efforts to lessen their impact onn the environment.
ReplyDeleteIn agreement with your argument about China's industrialization ruining the environment in many ways, do you believe a solution can be put in place for China or even the world ?
ReplyDeleteI agree with your point of view about China and all of its development in the world, and being one of the BRIC nations, economic security is its greatest goal at the time, that they could care less about the environment and protecting it, if it means that they will become a superpower or at least a developed nation, it's a consequence they're willing to forgo. How would you suggest to keep it in check?
ReplyDelete