Poverty and Pollution Case Study Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Poverty and Pollution Case Study - Essay Example It would be convenient for these businesses to ignore environmental regulations because it would be more cost-effective for them and they can easily get away with these violations (Singer, 1972). Moreover, most of them do not see a sense of environmental responsibility for these affected developing countries because these countries are not their home countries. In other words, these MNCs would feel that they would not be affected by the impact of the pollution they would be releasing in their host countries (Singer, 1972). Fewer environmental regulations include limited resources for host countries, especially on the detection of greenhouse gas emissions from these businesses (Shue, 1999). Businesses polluting in the third world countries are violating environmental laws and the inherent right of all human beings to live pollution-free lives. These violations also imply contraventions on developments and strides towards sustainable development, as well as violations in the protection of the environment vulnerable to destructive man-made activities (Norton, 1984). Violations of environmental laws also indicate the application of post-modern policies which often do not ensure the protection of the environment. Under these conditions, businesses polluting in third world countries are discarding environmental laws and ethical values in favor of financial gains. 2. ... The primary regulatory authority for any country is always the government. In instances where the legislative and executive functions of this government are weak, it is easy for its citizens and the citizens of other countries to perpetuate wrong and illegal acts in the territory (Fobete, 2008). Most of the time, the executive departments of these countries are extremely weak and corrupt, and officials are often easily vulnerable to bribes. These businesses may also disregard standards of pollution control because the third world countries do not have sufficient technology to detect and monitor any environmentally damaging activities which these businesses may perpetuate in their country (Fobete, 2008). The standard monitoring devices in developed countries which monitor air, water, noise, and land pollution and toxicities are often not present or are too expensive for these developing countries to avail (Taylor, 2010). Most of the monitoring in developing countries is carried out wi th personnel who occasionally inspect the facilities for apparent signs of pollution. It is easy enough for businesses to conceal their environmental violations during these inspection periods (Taylor, 2010). Actual monitoring of toxic levels of pollution cannot accurately and efficiently be carried out through visual inspection alone. Hence, without firm and effective tools, these businesses can easily disregard any standards of pollution control. As such, these businesses can easily carry out activities which would normally have high levels of greenhouse gases (GHGs) in these developing countries (Adams, 2001). Normally, in developed countries, GHG levels would be regulated and violations may prompt government regulatory processes, including closures (Adams,