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China estimates of the day
Pollution is more globalized too:
Bruce Hope, a senior environmental toxicologist at the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, estimates that global sources contribute 18 percent—more than four times the local share—to Oregon’s air pollution. Increasingly, the ozone on the west coast will be determined by China. In California, for example, some researchers believe at least one-third of California’s fine particulate pollution—known as aerosol—originates from Asia. These pollutants could potentially nullify California’s progress on meeting stricter Clean Air Act requirements. In May 2006, University of California-Davis researchers claimed that almost all the particulate matter over Lake Tahoe was from China. The great irony is that these pollutants are mainly due to the burgeoning demand of U.S. and EU consumers for cheap Chinese goods—which is driving the Chinese economic development. Some estimates cite that 7 percent of China’s CO2emissions are due to production of U.S. imports.
Here is the source, the pointer is from Robin Hanson. Concerning the last sentence, if you haven't already seen it by now, here is Hal Varian's piece on where the iPod is made.
Posted by Tyler Cowen on June 29, 2007 at 05:54 AM in Data Source | Permalink
Comments
"The great irony is that these pollutants are mainly due to the burgeoning demand of U.S. and EU consumers for cheap Chinese goods—which is driving the Chinese economic development."
How is that ironic? It seems perfectly logical to me. As we drive up the price of our energy, we will increase the demand for things made with cheaper energy.
Posted by: Nobrainer at Jun 29, 2007 9:53:42 AM
Nobrainer
It's not about energy prices. China subsidises energy prices to a much greater extent than the US (electricity is ridiculously cheap) but then it is a poorer country.
The move to China is about labour productivity (which is high) at a much, much lower wage rate (less than 10% of European or North American standards).
To take an example, aluminium is far and away the most electricity price sensitive commodity. World aluminium production is *not* moving to China, faster than Chinese demand for primary aluminium is growing.
Where it is going is Iceland (cheap, carbon free geothermal energy), Quebec (hydro) and of course Australia (ditto).
Posted by: anonYmouse at Jun 29, 2007 10:06:15 AM
Just for clarification & accuracy, that 18% estimate applies only to airborne mercury, not to air pollutants in general or to ozone.
Posted by: Bruce Hope at Jun 29, 2007 11:40:34 AM
Problems of air pollution are always up-dating. Why aren't we very "polite" relating to nature and air?
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