Is free trade changing economies in third world countries without regard to environmental protection?
There will always be conflict between economic growth and environmental protection. To the extent that free trade is changing and expanding the economies of third world countries, there are unquestionably increased threats to the environment. For example, most of the greenhouse gas emissions which contribute to global warming come from developed countries. As poor countries develop, their contribution to this problem is likely to increase. Moreover, in the short term, such countries cannot afford costly efforts at environmental control. On the other hand, most serious environmental activists recognize the need for poor nations to escape their cycle of poverty. The real concern is that the WTO and the World Bank are insufficiently concerned with environmental consequences as they support economic growth in these countries. In particular, environmental organizations are critical of World Bank lending for oil, gas and mining projects because of the environmental, human rights, and social
Related Questions
- Canada has negotiated environmental side agreements to its other free trade agreements in the Hemisphere. Does it support the negotiation of a similar agreement in the context of the FTAA?
- WHAT IS THE IMPACT OF BEING MEMBER OF WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION FOR DEVELOPING COUNTRIES LIKE ETHIOPIA?
- If free trade is of such obvious benefit, why are so many countries protectionist?
