The Increasing Danger of Industrialization on the Environment

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The Increasing Danger of Industrialization on the Environment

The negative effect of industrialization on the environment has been known for years. The danger associated with lead, chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), and other toxic materials was discovered and several measures have been taken to stop the damage done to the environment by these agents. It will not be far fetched to blame industrialization as the main cause for the situation we humans find ourselves in today. The developed nations, being the main promoters, sponsors, and profiting bodies of industrialization, were the prominent victims. They were also the first ones to put a system in place in attempt to counteract the harm done to the environment. Government agencies such as the EPA, strict laws set to protect the environment in most Scandinavian countries, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), etc. are examples of the new environmental-friendly trend being exhibited in developed countries. The fact that such agencies and organizations work towards cleaner technologies and methods that are less stressful on the environment is an encouraging news, the issue of industrialization and the environment is taking a new spin. As the poor and developing nations are experiencing an Industrial Revolution of their own, and the spread of Globalization is being facilitated by the increasingly efficient information technology, the fight to reduce the damage done by industrialization is getting a lot harder and messier. The actual progress made by these poor nations and the resulting move towards industrialization, the exodus of ‘dirty’ industries from developed nations where the environmental laws are stricter to the poor nations where such laws do not exist or ...

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...osal of hazardous wastes is constantly increasing in countries such as the United States. For example, to safely dispose 1 metric ton of polychlorinated biphenyls(PCBs), it can cost up to $2,300 (which provides companies “significant financial incentive to resort to illegal practices” (9).

In conclusion, this relatively recent shift of industrialization to developing countries either due to the fact that some poor countries are going through their version of the Industrial Revolution, or due to globalization, is shown to continue the damage industrialization is doing to the environment.

Notes

1) http://www.wri.org/wr-98-99/002-ndus.htm

2) http://www.wri.org/wr-98-99/002-ndus.htm

3) http://www.wri.org/wr-98-99/002-ndus.htm

4) http://www.wri.org/wr-98-99/002-ndus.htm

5) http://www.wri.org/wr-98-99/impacts.htm

6) http://www.wri.org/wr-98-99/002-ndus.htm

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