China Toy Problem Recalls Technology Gap
While labor is cheaper in China, the carbon and other emissions from the older machinery and lack of regulations puts an added cost on all of those toys and electronics that are so much cheaper to make elsewhere. According to one estimate, the energy consumption (relying mostly on old coal power plants) is more than four times that of the U.S.
Unfortunately it is almost impossible to find goods in many categories that aren't made in China, so sustainability-minded individuals have little choice. But perhaps an import tax could be used to expand our efforts to update Chinese factories and power plants. Alex Steffan of WorldChanging calls it offshoring our emissions.
"That's because globalization has tended to move heavy polluting industries offshore, away from Europe and North America, and to places like China and Brazil. We still consume the lion's share of the goods these nations manufacture, but the carbon is emitted there, not here.."
So blaming China, India et al for not being part of Kyoto when they are providing us goods that produce millions of tons of CO2 isn't fair.
Also, consider the fossil fuels burned in shipping from 5,000 miles away versus to a port in the U.S. before the are moved by rail/truck to warehouses and then driven to your local WalMart.
This system may be the most economically efficient, but not the most sustainable.
Share This Story
Related Entries
- G8 Climate Talk Must Lead to Action - July 10, 2008
- Slow Food Comes to San Francisco - July 11, 2008
- The Tricky Transition from Recycling to E-Cycling - April 2, 2008
- Nuclear Comeback Splits Green Energy Advocates - March 31, 2008
- Climate Change Could Set Off Tempest of Litigation - February 19, 2008
Read More Articles »

bookmark on del.icio.us
digg this story
submit to reddit
submit to newsvine
bookmark on furl
add to blinklist