Pollution and Emissions and the Effects of Globalization

Keri-Ann AndradeCC 495-001

18 April 2008

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Introduction

In today’s world, changes are taking place every day. As countries begin to go

through the process of globalization and expansion, changes take place. If these changes

are not monitored properly, disastrous results may occur. Pollution and emissions from

countries around the world can have negative effects on the environment. The future of

the world is in danger because of emissions and pollution and many countries are seeing

this as a problem that needs to be solved. Different countries around the world are trying

to make changes and lower the amount of emissions that is being released into the air,

causing pollution. Kenneth Burke and his concept of the Pentad/Ratio can be useful in

the analysis of globalization and how it affects the given country and the world. This

paper looks at how emissions and pollution is being dealt with, the damage that

globalization has already caused in the environment and what the future will bring to the

world.

Globalization is affecting today’s world in many ways. There has been a lot of

research that has been conducted about the effects of globalization, both positive and

negative. Countries such as the United States, Japan, China and India, just to name a

few, have expanded rapidly without being conscious of the pollution that is occurring.

The atmosphere, due to harmful emissions, has been damaged extensively over the past

decades. Large amounts of greenhouse gases and carbon dioxide have destroyed parts of

the ozone layer. These harmful gases rise into the air that we breathe and leave behind

deadly toxins. Industry expansion can be beneficial to the country’s economy. On the

same note, cars, airplanes, and other means of transportation let off emissions during

every use.

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A more in-depth focus on countries such as the United States, Japan, China,

newly developed India, and other developing nations has been taken by researchers.

These countries are all in different stages of globalization, but the same issue keeps

occurring. Emissions and pollution caused by industry expansion and a growing need for

cars are concerns that are looked upon when it may be too late. These developed

countries are experiencing an economic growth that reads dollars signs to its

governments. Regulating the emissions and pollution during this time is the last thought

on their minds. In the next section, a review of previously published research will be

reviewed. Once this has been completed, an analysis of emissions, pollution and the

effects of globalization will be conducted.

Literature Review

There have been numerous studies done in the past about the effects of pollution.

A study conducted by L. Claudio (2007) looked at the clothing industry and how it

pollutes the environment. Globalization increases the amount of goods offered to the

public. This increase in products causes more waste products by the manufacturers.

“The EPA, under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, considers many textile

manufacturing facilities to be hazardous waste generators” (Claudio, 2007). This means

that more goods equal more pollution. Kwong (2005) used a 2001 study that found that

“although economic growth produced more pollution, the greater wealth and higher

incomes also generated a demand for a cleaner environment.” People tend to care more

about their environment when it is cost-effective to them and they have the means to do

so, as needed.

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The process of globalization is seen as a positive approach towards making life

better for the people of the given country. Molchanov (2005) writes that “globalization is

a contradictory process.” The researcher goes on to say that in Europe, globalization and

protectionism go hand in hand, referred to as “a double movement” (Molchanov, 2005).

Changes are being made, but protectionists are trying to forgo the process altogether and

protect Europe’s current state. Europe has taken steps to limit or address the issue of

emissions, but as of this point in time, it has subsided immensely.

Growth and expansion makes the world strive. As more money pours into the

economy, the more negative effects are being ignored. Lowe (2004) stated that “an

ecologically-illiterate cheer squad of economists, business leaders, politicians and

journalists is actively encouraging further growth in consumption to bring forward the

inevitable crisis.” This crisis that is mentioned is the devastation of the earth’s natural

resources and the environment. Harmful GHG and CO2 emissions are eating away at the

ozone layer and polluting the atmosphere. Those individuals who are in power look

towards making money, rather than watching out for the well-being of the planet and its

people. “The Australian State of the Environment Report said that urban air quality was

improving but all other serious environmental problems in that country [Australia] was

worsening” (Lowe, 2004). This brings up the idea that the world’s population is slowly,

but surely, killing themselves. These are just a few ways of looking at how globalization

affects the country and the environment all at once.

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Asia’s Pollution

Asia’s environment and economy has undergone enormous changes in the past

twenty years. These changes have affected everyone and everything on the Asian

continent. In a study conducted by M.T. Rock and D.P. Angel (2007), they gathered

information about air pollution in Asia versus other countries and the world. The results

were that Asia’s air pollution was at 238 mg/m3 (milligram per cubic meter), compared

to the world’s air pollution coming in at 126 mg/m3 in 2002. Asia is just one continent,

among many, that has seen a rapid economic growth recently. This change has brought

about new opportunities for companies and people to become wealthier. The effects that

came out of this rapid change were not looked at initially. Today, more attention is being

given to the polluted environment and what globalization has done to burden the country.

The problem of environmental pollution began when expanding industry used the motto

“grow first, clean up later” (Rock, Angel 2007). In Singapore, Malaysia and Taiwan,

“policy integration helped internalize environmental considerations within the economic

decision making processes” (Rock, Angel 2007). Although these countries saw many

changes in the economy, pollution was not a concern. Steps are being taken to address

concerns and adapt better ways of supplying people with products that fit their needs and

helping the environment at the same time.

Emissions and pollution are caused by companies’ waste products, large increases

in automobile usage and other related factors. Companies are in the business of making

money. Waste products are one of the downfalls to producing products for consumption.

The tendency to blame companies for most of the pollution is absurd because “industry

could not be trusted not to put the bottom line first” (Wall, 2000). It is the people’s fault

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for putting trust in something that is only in business to make money in the growing

economy. As countries see these changes occurring, it is often difficult to see the direct

effects in real time. Japan, for example, wants to cut their emissions of carbon dioxide

which has consistently been blamed for global warming. Along with Japanese people

harming the environment unintentionally, a lot of Japan’s pollution has come from China.

“Mount Zao is only one example of pollution hitting Japan from China, where factory

emissions are causing international concern as its economy soars ahead” (James).

A study by Grumbine (2007) found that “Japan and South Korea are already

affected by Chinese-generated pollutants, and SO2 and NOx are showing up on the West

Coast of North America. Research from southern California suggests that on some days

25% of airborne particulates originate from China, with as yet unknown consequences”

(Grumbine, 2007). This fact is unnerving because China is on its way towards surpassing

the United States’ economy. Japan and other countries around the world are being

affected by the pollution given off by the Chinese people. Japan’s government is trying

to help drivers cut down on emissions and pollution by offering “reduced parking charges

small cars” (Nieuwenhuis and Zapata, 2006). This could make Japanese people want to

drive smaller, lower emissions vehicles in the coming years.

The Effects of Pollution on Developed and Developing Countries

Looking at the world and how it has been affected by globalization brings mixed

results. Developing nations are less likely to have the financial means to regulate and

clean up pollution. On the other side of the issue, more developed countries such as

China are more financially inept to look into effective ways of managing emissions and

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pollution given off into the environment. Japan Probe, a website about Japanese news

had a story that stated “developing nations are eager to hear first about what

industrialized countries will do to cut their emissions of carbon dioxide and other

“greenhouse” gases blamed for global warming, and how much money they will spend to

help poor nations adapt to climate change.” Money is an issue for many of the countries

going through the process of globalization. The governments in these countries are

expanding and money is being put into industry expansion. The nation is unaware of the

negative effects of an expansion that are happening around the country and the world.

Emissions and pollution is being released into the atmosphere every second of everyday.

In a developing country, such as India, the projected emissions for the next few

decades are astounding. Shukla, Garg, Kapshe and Nairs claim in their study that “CO2

equivalent GHG emissions [will] grow about 2.6 times during 2000-2030.” This fact is

devastating because the environment is at a point where it can hardly take anymore

damage. India’s growing need for automobiles is causing this sharp rise and it will not

level out anytime soon. Alternate scenarios are being explored to limit the amount of

damage that India’s people could cause due to emissions and pollution into the

environment. There are many factors that lead to this negative effect of globalization,

such as an increased livestock need. India is just one example of many countries

experiencing an economic boom with less than appealing results.

Many people believe that developing countries have fewer environmental laws

that protect the environment. A study by Pulver (2007) reveals that many of these

countries have fewer environmental polluters. The researcher goes on to talk about how

a developing country such as Africa has little information about how it is helping in the

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greening process. More developed countries such as China and Latin America have firms

that release this information to the public and it is more readily available for viewing.

The study itself looks at how developing countries are regulating the emissions and

pollutions. The following section looks at how pollution and emissions is being regulated

by both governments and the people of developed and developing countries.

Regulating Pollution and Emissions

Lesser developed countries tend to have regulations that require little attention. A

study by M.T. Rock and D.P. Angel (2007) found that “there is also some evidence that

countries with weak environmental regulations may emerge as havens for pollution-

intensive industries, particularly when new foreign investment involve older, “dirty”

technologies.” Many poorer countries do not have programs in effect that properly

regulate the emissions and pollutions that industry and vehicles are releasing into the

environment. In a study conducted by Kwong (2005), it stated that “globalization will

result in a “race to the bottom” as polluting companies relocate to countries with lax

environmental standards.” Companies are by-passing strict regulations in developed

countries. To avoid fines and putting out more money to fix their emissions and the

amount of pollution being released, these industries are moving abroad in many cases.

This is a problem that needs to be addressed more closely. These multi-national

companies should be environmentally conscious about the world and what they are doing

for the future generations. Other countries that have means to regulate pollution and

emissions are trying to do so.

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Attractive business conditions draw companies into participating in foreign

investments. A study by Jorgenson, Dick and Mahutga (2007) found that “in an

additional effort to attract outside investment, less developed countries tend to have lower

domestic environmental regulations than developed countries.” This is a key factor for

companies looking to make higher profits and cut down on the costs of protecting the

environment. Due to these mentioned ideas, the environment is being taken advantage

of. There needs to be global policies that apply to all countries across the globe which

regulate how much emissions and pollution can be released. The issue of pollution seems

to be the last thing on the minds of industry leaders looking to grow their business. Less

developed countries do not have the capabilities or the financial means to regulate on

their own. Other, more developed countries need to assist less fortunate nations in the

global process of lowering emissions and pollution.

Regulations in the United States are being put on companies and incentives are

being given to industry and employees to help control the emissions. One program that

does this is the Environment Protection Agency’s (EPA) Climate Leaders Program. On

the EPA website, it states that “Climate Leaders is an EPA industry-government

partnership that works with companies to develop comprehensive climate change

strategies.” This program looks at the amount of gases being given off by companies and

what can be done to reduce them. A similar program was created by DOE. Climate

Vision is the Bush administration’s policy that “encourages industry to take voluntary

actions using available, cost-effective technologies and best practices to reduce

greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions intensity” (DOE). The White House has talked about

“new bilateral agreements [that] have been established with countries representing over

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70 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions” (White House). The President is

assisting other, less fortunate countries in the process of controlling emissions and

pollution and to help educate its people about the harmful effects.

The European Union is beginning to take action and create programs that better

regulate pollution and emissions. Numerous multi-national companies, such as Motorola,

have complied with the EU’s environmental directives. A study conducted by M.T. Rock

and D.P. Angel (2007), stated that “Motorola maintains a set of core global firm-based

environmental standards.” Companies are coming under the watchful eyes of

governments and environmentally-conscious groups. Along with industry, car

manufacturers are being aided. The European Union (EU) and the European

Commission (EC) “negotiated a voluntary agreement with Europe’s vehicle producers…

to reduce CO2 emissions from new cars” (Nieuwenhuis and Zapata, 2006). Playing the

game of catch-up seems to be the issue of industries who have gone through the process

of globalization. Governments are trying to aid in this costly process and deliver

incentives to those industries that choose to take precautions to save the world’s

atmosphere and environment from further damage.

People need to regulate emissions and pollution by themselves. Governments can

give the public the tools to do so, but the need for change needs to come from the latter.

A study by G. Wall (2000) made the point that, “governments can't decree a change in

lifestyle--that's got to come from the people themselves. And one of the great benefits, I

think, of this conference is creating public awareness of the need to moderate our

lifestyles, and use less energy and produce less waste.” Humans create waste and pollute

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the environment. If developed and developing countries are aware of the urgency of

change, then the environment may be able to stay as it is, without further damage.

Automobiles Impact on the Environment

Along with industry, automobiles have caused massive amounts of the world’s

emissions and pollution. The Environmental Protection Agency claims that

“technological advances in vehicle and engine design, together with cleaner, higher-

quality fuels, have reduced emissions so much that EPA expects progress to continue,

even as people drive more miles and use more power equipment every year.” This may

be the case in the United States and other countries that have gone through the process of

globalization, but more cars on the roads are causing mixed results. In India, for

example, the amount of cars being driven on the roads is increasing everyday. A 2007

study concluded that “it is well known that the principal human cause of carbon dioxide

emissions is the burning of fossil fuels, which takes place in a variety of human

activities” (Jorgenson, Dick and Mahutga). Cars are a main contributing factor to

pollution across the globe.

Automobile manufacturers are realizing that there is a growing need for cars that

have lower emissions in more developed nations. A study by Nieuwenhuis and Zapata

(2006) writes that “cars are the consumer products with the greatest environmental

impact.” A change must be made to satisfy people’s needs for transportation and to

regulate how much emissions go into the environment. Hybrid and bio-diesel vehicles

are being targeted to environmentally conscious drivers who are seeking a way to lessen

the emissions. Although these cars seem to help the problem, there needs to be a larger

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change if the world wants to stop the process that is taking place. More cars on the roads

means more emissions. Nieuwenhuis and Zapata (2006) stated that “China alone has the

potential to double the environmental impact from human activity.” This means that

China is expanding so rapidly that the amount of pollution from vehicles, for example, is

permanently harming the environment. Countries such as China and India are two places

of concern for environmentalists because of the high increase in automobile usage.

Lower emission vehicles only lessen the blow to the environment, but they do not

eliminate emissions altogether. The problem that is addressed in this paper is that

emissions and pollution due to globalization is destroying the world, rather than creating

a better place for everyone to live. Next, an analysis will be conducted using Kenneth

Burke’s Pentad/Ratio. It will look at the issue at hand, pollution, and how it affects the

world due to globalization.

Method of Analysis

Globalization “refers to the increasing economic integration and interdependence

of countries. Economic globalization in this century has proceeded along two main lines:

trade liberalization (the increased circulation of goods) and financial liberalization (the

expanded circulation of capital)” (The Halifax Initiative). Globalization changes the

economy of the people such that an influx of goods and services is more readily

available.

Kenneth Burke and his theory of the Pentad/Ratio looks at identification. The

issue must first be identified. Here, it is emissions and pollution caused by globalization

in the world. Once the issue is defined, the problem can be identified with and this

causes people to realize that changes need to be made. Emissions is harming the

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environment and destroying natural resources that are needed for everyday survival.

More developed countries are identifying with the problem and looking for different

ways of lessening the harm being down to the atmosphere. For the developing nations,

pollution is overlooked in many situations. Industry expansion and the growing economy

is the concern of the government and its people. The problem has not been fully defined

and the people cannot identify with it at this point in time.

The idea of form deals with the psychology of the audience. In order to evoke

change, the government and other officials need to have an understanding and inform the

audience of the issue of pollution and emissions. They must also explain how it will be

beneficial to the audience to help resolve the problem. Governments in more developed

countries are designing programs to do this. Programs such as EPA’s Climate Leaders

Program and DOE’s Climate Vision are designed and implemented for industry use to

assist them financially. The public is also given the option of buying hybrid or bio-diesel

vehicles to cut down of CO2 emissions. Globalization has its negative effects, but

change is being made to reduce emissions and pollution caused by this expansion.

Burke’s five terms, which are act, agent, scene, agency and purpose can be useful

in this analysis. The act is looking for a way to cut down on emissions and pollution that

is going into the environment. Harmful GHG and CO2 are taking its toll on an already

badly damaged atmosphere. As of this point in time, there is no fix for what has been

done.

The agent is the world’s population. Governments, environmentally conscious

people and others are looking for a way out of total devastation. Cutting down on driving

and offering programs that help industries lower emissions and pollutions only

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temporarily limits the problem. A more dramatic step by the agents needs to be taken in

order to battle a deadly killer that could potentially cause future generations to cease to

exist.

The scene is the world’s environment. Pollutants are depleting the ozone layer

and it can never be repaired. CO2 and greenhouse gases from cars, waste products and

other related factors harm the air we breathe and destroy natural resources. As countries

begin the process of globalization and rapidly expand, more pollution occurs. The

environment is only capable of sustaining life if its resources are not damaged and

overused. Emissions need to be eliminated or cut back drastically in order to stop what is

happening all around the world every day.

Agency and purpose, according to Kenneth Burke, deal with a reason to make

change and how it will happen. The public needs to be educated about what will happen

if they do not change their lifestyles. The industries also need to make changes, although

this will have to come from money in their own pockets. There is only one world and it

seems that change is coming at a time when it could possibly have no effect. The

purpose of cutting emissions and pollution is to help people breathe better and protect the

ozone layer. Without a protective layer from the sun, earth would be a hot planet that

cannot hold human life.

Kenneth Burke draws up the point that “if action, then drama; if drama, then

conflict, if conflict, then victimage” (Golden, Berquist, Coleman and Sproule). The

action occurs when governments begin to design programs to assist people in the

lowering of emissions and pollution. The drama is that people are seeing the issue and

becoming afraid about what could happen if nothing changes. The conflict is deciding

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how to make these changes and if it will help the future of the world. The world’s

population has become the victims. The environment is heavily damaged and it is

irreversible. There is nothing can be done to stop emissions and pollution because the

world keeps expanding. The only available means of change is lowering the amount of

emissions so that it remains the same or slightly lower than today’s amounts. Looking at

the projected numbers for the coming years, it seems that this is a dream that will likely

not be reached.

Discussion

The toll that globalization has taken on the environment is enormous. Emissions

and pollution continue to harm the environment in irreversible ways. Changes can help

lessen the devastation, but it does not fix the problem fully. Harmful greenhouse gases

(GHG) and carbon dioxide (CO2) are given off by waste products created by industries

and cars. Governmental programs try to address the issue and offer assistance to the

public. The concentration on growing, rather than the pollution that was and is occurring,

has caused what is happening today. The atmosphere is diminishing at this very moment

in time. There is no way to stop what has been taking place.

Companies need to manufacture goods for the public. The consumption of those

goods is what keeps the industry in business. Pollution, from items that are no longer of

use and the waste products of companies, is a problem. The government is only able to

do a certain amount to protect the environment. In the United States, and other countries

around the world, there are programs in place to give money or benefits to people who

recycle or cut down on pollution. The idea of such programs seems to be in good nature,

but they will most likely not solve the problem.

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The Future of the World

The timing for change may be too late. The damage has been done and there is

little that anyone can do about it. The public needs to have means of transportation and

goods to survive in today’s world. Pollution and emissions is not going away. Unless

there is a big change and emissions are regulated to a much lesser amount, the

environment may not survive. Many countries have projected dates for programs that cut

down on emissions, but it will be too late. Future generations are going to see a different

world than what our parents and our generation has grown up in. The pollution is going

to continue to expand as more countries across the globe go through the process of

globalization. Keeping up with current times and the economy is a concern for all

nations. Money is important to these people and the environment is a side note.

As many of the studies that have been used in this paper have stated, pollution is

devastating. No one fully knows what will happen in the coming decades. Governments

are now understanding emissions and pollution and passing it down to the public.

Education is coming at a time when learning about the problem is the only thing that can

be done. This paper looks at what harm has been done, what steps are being taken to

alleviate the strain on the environment, and what the future will hold for these countries.

The information that has been gathered for this research paper all points to the inevitable,

a polluted world where life may not survive.

Conclusion

Globalization can have many negative effects on the country which it changes.

The expansion of industry brings about more pollution into the atmosphere. This is a

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never ending process. More goods and services are positive for the economy because it

gives people choices about what they want to purchase. Countries that have undergone

the process of globalization overlook the pollution that is escaping into the atmosphere.

Growing is the main concern for the country. Often than not, by the time pollution and

emissions is addressed, it is too late. More developed countries, such as the United

States, have the available means to adapt programs to control emissions and pollution.

The EPA’s Climate Leaders Program, and the DOE’s Climate Vision program are just

two examples that directly helps industries change the way they manufacture goods and

how much pollution is given off. Developing countries do not have the means to fully

attend to the pollution problem. The economy is trying to strive. Money is difficult to

come by and emissions are not accurately regulated to the highest standards.

Along with industry pollution, there is a concern for automobile emissions.

Globalization expands the given country’s economy. Due to this change, more people

need transportation around the growing cities. Emissions, in the developing nations are

not a main concern because the government isn’t fully aware of the problem. Pollution is

given off by the vehicles and the atmosphere is taking the largest hit. In more developed

countries, the government is now beginning to understand the issue that emissions and

pollution is bringing up. Greenhouse gases and carbon dioxide are released into the

environment and the effects are not reversible. Automobile manufacturers are seeing this

concern in earth conscious drivers and are adapting appropriately. New hybrid cars and

bio-diesel engines are starting to gain more attention. These vehicles are supposed to

have lower emissions and pollution. In the developing nations, it may be more difficult

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to purchase such vehicles though. Something needs to be done soon, but it might already

be too late.

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Works Cited

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