Many environmentalists worry that an unintended consequence of differential enfo

Question

Many environmentalists worry that an unintended consequence of differential enforcement of environmental regulation by nations will lead to the formation of "pollution havens." Read the following article: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/09/science/earth/recycled-battery-lead-puts-mexicans-in-danger.html

(a) What is the "pollution haven hypothesis?" How does it relate to the article?

(b) Why is the pollution haven hypothesis more likely to be correct in the case of recycled batteries than in the case of, say, sock production?

(c) Suppose you wanted to write your Ph.D. thesis on testing the pollution haven hypothesis using a statistical analysis. Discuss an ideal experimental design that would allow for a convincing test of this hypothesis.

Explanation / Answer

(a). The 'pollution haven hypothesis' is a scenario when the large industrialized nations seek to set up factories or offices abroad. They often look for the cheapest option available in terms of resources and labours that offers the land and material access they require.

The pollution haven hypothesis directly relates to the scenario presented in the article regarding the spent batteries emitting high lead in the environment. The spent batteries are illegally exported from USA to Mexico where these batteries are recycled.Since recycling the spent batteries is illegal in USA. Most of the recycling plants in Mexico do not have a legal authorization of importing these dangerous waste including batteries. But still these plants are operating in a full swing. In this sense, Mexico is becoming a pollution heaven for the United States battery industry. However, the affluent countries imporove their own environments by displacing ecological problems to poor countries that acts as pollution heavens should not be considered to be ethically correct.

(b). The Pollution Haven Hypothesis is more likely to be correct in case of recycled batteries than in the case of sock production because sock production does not have a higher environmental impact as compared to recycled batteries. The recycling of batteries has a higher negetive impact on the environment as compared to sock production, thus the pollution haven hypothesis is more common in case of recycling of the batteries.

(c). The test of this hypothesis can be done through checking the import and export of these hazardous materials. Strict regulations regarding licencing of recycling plants must be established. Setting some specific standards regrading emission of lead in the environment must be set up and the recycling plants must be directed to follow it strictly. The international agencies must also come forward and check the matter of pollution haven hypothesis and take some efficient steps reagring the protection of less affluent countries who are trapped in such environmental problems. These agencies must set the guidelines necessary for environmental protection and prevention of pollution haven.

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