pOLLUTION
PART B – Case Study
Pollution is a predominant issue that the world faces every day. Pollution is the release of harmful substances or products into the environment. This essay will cover the topics of why polluters should pay the price for polluting, market failure in relation to polluted stormwater, the affects of pollution on the economy, local households contributing to stormwater pollution, the carbon tax is only for big polluters, the negative externalities, the marginal-cost and marginal-benefit analysis on the system of fines and pollution taxes impact on the level of pollution, and discussing policy alternatives on pollution control regulatory systems.
Currently in Australia there is a carbon tax on Australia’s biggest polluters, although households and small business are exempt from paying a carbon tax, the biggest polluters in Australia’s account for around 60% of pollution in Australia (Australian Government, Clean Energy Future, 2013).
“Be Warned: Pollute and Pay the Price” by Catherine Hockley suggests that polluters should pay the price for polluting, so that pollution can ultimately be reduced. Stormwater has been recognised as the major source of pollution in streams and coastal waters of Australian cities (Duncan et al. 2010). If polluters are not penalised for polluting the environment they will continue to pollute without hesitation. Imposing fines on polluters can reduce and restrict the amount of pollution created and force the polluters to create or use more efficient processes.
The market system has failed to provide adequate protection for the environment resulting in market failure. As polluted stormwater has already entered rivers, lakes and the sea causing serious environmental damage from various manufacturing industries, the market system has only acted once the damage has been done. As for small businesses and households there is no accurate way to measure where the pollution is coming from. The market system
Pollution is a predominant issue that the world faces every day. Pollution is the release of harmful substances or products into the environment. This essay will cover the topics of why polluters should pay the price for polluting, market failure in relation to polluted stormwater, the affects of pollution on the economy, local households contributing to stormwater pollution, the carbon tax is only for big polluters, the negative externalities, the marginal-cost and marginal-benefit analysis on the system of fines and pollution taxes impact on the level of pollution, and discussing policy alternatives on pollution control regulatory systems.
Currently in Australia there is a carbon tax on Australia’s biggest polluters, although households and small business are exempt from paying a carbon tax, the biggest polluters in Australia’s account for around 60% of pollution in Australia (Australian Government, Clean Energy Future, 2013).
“Be Warned: Pollute and Pay the Price” by Catherine Hockley suggests that polluters should pay the price for polluting, so that pollution can ultimately be reduced. Stormwater has been recognised as the major source of pollution in streams and coastal waters of Australian cities (Duncan et al. 2010). If polluters are not penalised for polluting the environment they will continue to pollute without hesitation. Imposing fines on polluters can reduce and restrict the amount of pollution created and force the polluters to create or use more efficient processes.
The market system has failed to provide adequate protection for the environment resulting in market failure. As polluted stormwater has already entered rivers, lakes and the sea causing serious environmental damage from various manufacturing industries, the market system has only acted once the damage has been done. As for small businesses and households there is no accurate way to measure where the pollution is coming from. The market system
References: Australian Government, Clean Energy Future, 2013, Carbon Price, viewed 19 August 2013, http://www.cleanenergyfuture.gov.au/clean-energy-future/carbon-price/ Australian Government, Clean Energy Future, 2011, Securing a clean energy future, viewed 14 August 2013, http://www.cleanenergyfuture.gov.au/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/CleanEnergyPlan-20120628-3.pdf ‘Banana price doubles as supplies get scarce’ 2011, Financial Review, 4 February 2011 viewed 23 August 2013. http://www.afr.com/p/national/banana_price_doubles_as_supplies_uXqSs9bmHcQsNlRf2TXcVI Francey, M, Fletcher, T, Deletic, A, & Duncan, H 2010, 'New Insights into the Quality of Urban Storm Water in South Eastern Australia ', Journal Of Environmental Engineering, 136, 4, pp. 381-390, Academic Search Complete, EBSCOhost, viewed 2 August 2013. Horngren, C, & Waters, J 2011, Cost Accounting: A Managerial Emphasis / Charles T. Horngren ... [Et Al.], n.p.: Frenchs Forest, N.S.W. : Pearson Australia, 2011 Queensland Government Department of Environment and Heritage Protection, 2006, Water Pollution: Wastewater, viewed 18 August 2013 http://www.ehp.qld.gov.au/water/monitoring/wastewater.html#how_can_i_help Sloman, J, Norris, K, Garratt, D, & Alhashimi, H 2010, Principles Of Economics / John Sloman, Keith Norris, Dean Garratt, n.p.: Frenchs Forest, N.S.W. : Pearson Australia, 2010 Uren, D 2013, ‘Emissions drop signals fall in carbon tax take’ The Australian, 23 January 2013, viewed 26 August 2013, http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/climate/emissions-drop-signals-fall-in-carbon-tax-take/story-e6frg6xf-1226559632995