Because of the global economy, many
goods including what we use as daily basics produced by other countries have to
be transported for a long distance. To what extent do the advantages outweigh
the disadvantages?
Highly
globalized economy is supported by free international trade, with goods being
sourced from and sold to distant locations,
that has captured even the markets of goods required for daily errands.
The phenomenon has been hailed as highly beneficial by scores of economists
despite some expressing displeasure.
This
new phenomenon has brought around unprecedented advantages for the consumers
who were forced to rely on local sources that were many a times dependent on
various conditions, ranging from weather to economic conditions and even
seasons. High prices were also a constraint for many and only a few could
afford certain merchandise. However, all
that has changed now, with free global open trade policy in place, people can
procure their desired commodities in variety of quality and types at affordable
prices, regardless of the time of the year.
Besides
this, this fairly new arrangement has indirectly contributed to bolstering
economies of many countries, even the impoverished ones, by generating
commerce, and churning out employment across a cross-section of skilled and unskilled workers. Exporting,
or importing trade entails establishment
of several distinct multiple phases, and every step mandates investment of
money and manpower, churning business and jobs in the process.
Nonetheless,
one cannot ignore the problems selling and
buying goods from other parts of has
brought along, pollution in various manifestations: air and ecological damages.
As most of the transportation modes heavily rely on fossil fuels, frequent
movement of goods carriers in form of
ocean freighters, cargo airplanes, and trains
and road haulers to name a few has heightened environmental pollution.
In hindsight, I opine despite all doubts and reservations, the
benefits or transnational trade far exceed its pitfalls though ways must be
discovered to minimize damage to the environment caused by increasing transport
activity.
