The question is the following:-
Exercise 10 International conflict:- Acid rain
Many European factories and power stations which make goods and services use gas and coal for fuel. Waste gases from burning these resources are pumped into the atmosphere and then turn to acid as they mix with the air and water droplets in the clouds.
The cloud then travels across national boundaries, and when it rains the acid falls on other countries with damaging effects: water in lakes and rivers becomes poisoned, animals and plants die. About 5% of the acid found rain in Germany and Sweden is from the UK. In Norway, between 9 and 12% of the acid in rain is from the UK. Countries which suffer the bad effects of acid rain would prefer the UK to filter the waste gases from its power stations and factories. However, it would be more costly for UK industry to do this.
The choice is therefore between cheap power in the United Kingdom and a clean environment in Europe.
1) What are the scarce resources under threat from acid rain?
2) What is the opportunity cost of the pollution to the world?
3) What conflict is illustrated in this dilemma?
