We have recently discussed in class the role of the government to intervene when market failures occur. One reason for government intervention is for negative externalities, such as pollution. The article discusses the annual study, the Environmental Performance Index, which uses satellite data to measure air pollution concentrations in countries all over the world. Currently, India has the worst air ranking out of 132 countries, which has been caused by their high level of fine particulate matter. These particulate matters are not only five times the threshold, but are also unsafe for human beings and have been the cause of infections and cancers. Even the smaller cities in India are enduring pollution, which has been caused from the increase of vehicles and power plants in India. India created an Air Act in 1981, but they have lacked enforcing this act. A scientist at India’s Central Pollution Control Board does not think the findings in the study should be much of a concern to the country because India has a different environment than other countries and because India would not have developed with restrictions on polluting. This does not seem like the best reasoning to just ignore the problems with pollution in India, which will most likely get worse in the future if no action is taken.
7 comments:
I think it is normal in the current stage of development in India. If you look at the U.S few decades back, it was the same thing. It is a trade off between developing and environment.
The pollution problem can potentially be seen as part of public failure because the government could not enforce the legislation it passed on the issue.
China also has low scores in air health ranked 128. Though to be fair, the report shows this is a big problem in developing South East Asia.
This is definitely a problem for countries with enormous populations like India. The biggest problem is how can they effectively enforce their Air Act? Enforcement seems to be the biggest issue, programs that are not enforced will have little impact. I think that as India continues to develop and become a developed nation they need to address the negative externalities from air pollution and settle at an optimal level.
It is defiantly a problem and India should learn from the mistakes of the countries who have developed before them. Yes America was not very environmentally consciences during its developing stage but if we had the information we have now I'm sure we would have made much more of an effort and had stricter government enforcement for negative externalities such as pollution.
I think the the reasoning of the scientist at India's Central Pollution Control Board is just outrageous. I don't think the facts can be any more obvious. India was ranked the very worst polluted country out of 132 countries and action needs to be taken immediately to improve the countries air.
I'd agree that action needs to be taken, but would also agree with Aiden. How can the Air Act be enforced? Pollution is a logical byproduct and problem that accompanies pollution, but if governments know it is coming then preventative measures can be taken earlier on to help the environment without overly hindering the development of businesses.
People in developed countries ALWAYS blame the pollution of developing countries. It's like the people who are satisfactorily full judge others who are starving been eating too much and fast.
We all clearly know that how much pollution Europe and US made hundreds years ago.
I come from a developing country and to be honest I HATE seeing the environment been ruined. But There is a process, and I believe nobody and no country can effectively accelerate it. When these countries developed into a certain level, when most of people living in there don't need to worry about their basic needs for life. They will consider about environment.
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