Green Economics (1):
Taking account of environmental costs:
Industry and business are required to take account more readily of the impacts that pollution is having on the environment. A number of accounting protocols and strict audit tests now exist for company compliance.
This is an interesting area for writing, one which will combine the knowledge of Science and Accounting. The blog author holds an M.Sc in Geography, as a second degree.
People have become concerned by a number of environmental problems in recent years. These include:
- Acid rain
This is caused by sulphur and nitrogen emissions from power stations, industry and cars. Acid rain has been blamed for 'Waldsterben' (forest death) in central Europe and the contamination of many lakes and streams, with the death of fish and plant life.
- The greenhouse effect
This is caused by carbon dioxide and other gases emitted again by power stations, various industries and motor vehicles. The fear is that these gases will cause a heating of the earth's atmosphere. This will lead to climatic changes which will, ultimately, affect food production. It will also lead to a raising of sea levels and flooding as parts of the polar ice caps melt.
- Depletion of the ozone layer
This has been caused by the use of CFC gases (Chlorofluorocarbons) that were previously used in many aerosols, refrigerators and the manufacture of polystyrene foam. The ozone layer protects us from harmful ultra-violet radiation from the sun. Increased erosion and depletion of this layer could lead to increased skin cancer and related diseases.
- Nuclear radiation
The fears remain that accidents or sabotage at nuclear power stations could cause dangerous releases of radiation. The disposal of nuclear waste is another environmental problem.
- Land and river pollution
The tipping of toxic waste into the ground or into rivers can cause long-term environmental damage. Soils can be poisoned; rivers and seas can easily become polluted. It is not just industry that is to blame here. Sewage pollutes rivers and seas. Nitrogen run-off and slurry from farming are also major pollutants.
Commentary:
It wasn't really until the late 1960s and early 1970s that the 'environment' became more firmly part of the political agenda in most European countries. It was largely a response not only to the spectacular growth of the Western economies, but also to the continued and extensive industrialisation of the Eastern bloc countries such as Poland and the USSR.
'Green groups' sprang up around Europe. These groups realised that, if economic growth was to be sustained, then environmental damage could grow at an alarming rate.
The problems such groups have encountered in attempting to change attitudes and economic strategies have been immense. For example, certain governments have been reluctant to enter international environmental agreements, perceiving them to be against their national interest. The agreement, ladies and gentlemen, to cut sulphur dioxide emissions from power stations is one high profile instance.
Readers will be aware, that in Scotland, the Scottish Nationalist Party (SNP) under our leader Alex Salmond, has recently entered into partnership/agreement with the Green Party in forming an administrative government. The writer shares the vision set out by the nationalists in terms of an independent self-governed nation, and is particularly pleased Mr. Salmond has entered into a coalition agreement with the Green Party. Scotland requires more green and eco-friendly policies of which the SNP have been committed for some considerable time now.
The costs of pollution abatement are high, especially in the short-run. As long as these short-run costs are greater than the perceived costs of continuing pollution, then industry and government will continue to incur them. The consequences of this, however, could be devastating and far more costly in the long term, in both a financial and in an environmental sense.
In the next phase, part 2, of this written work, the blog author will address what can be said about the causes of these environmental problems. I believe a number of common features exist in extrapolating further, written journals for consideration.
