Environmental and Social Disasters* *made in China

Thinking about China frightens me. The country's mad rush to develop has left behind any foresight to what long term consequences may result. It has become the massive, cheap-labor-equipped factory for the world, yet has little regard for protecting its natural resources or its people's health. This country once so focused on staying closed off from the world now spews forth products of every type for the world's disposal. The environmental degradation resulting from both generally horrible production methods and the lack of consideration about the usefulness or life span of the products has made me try to avoid purchasing products made in China. And most recently, the spotlight on human rights abuses and oppression of the people of Tibet has made me more focused than ever on boycotting China. I mean, how can I complain about our empire policies here in the U.S. and yet support a dominating oppressor abroad?

Not only will I refrain from buying products made in China, which is not that easy, but I also plan to boycott watching the Olympics, which may be even harder. But if I really want to make a statement against all of their injustices and stick to my environmental beliefs, then buying locally made products is the strongest statement I can make. After all, how we spend our money is more powerful than any political process and it is what helped end apartheid in South Africa.

But isn't everything made in China now? Pretty much. But this means I end up buying less, which is an added environmental benefit. Another obvious benefit of consuming less is that I'm saving money. This then makes it easy to buy locally made products that are going to cost more since we have a higher living wage here than in China.

Of course I do end up buying something made in China every once in a while, like this computer that I'm typing on. But I really try to stick to my guns about this. And I can't tell how good it feels. Yes, I pass up on having certain products in my life, but they really aren't essential to my existence. And in turn, I can afford to purchase clothing made by local designers, fresh food from organic farmers in area, and hmm...I can't think of another example since I don't really spend money on much else.

So please join me in supporting the local movement, even if you don't care about China's policies. In the long run, supporting our communities pays off huge in the environmental, economic, and social arenas. And if you want something that you can't find made locally, see if you can get it secondhand on Craigslist or at a thrift store or garage sale. Or at the very least, go with a product from a country that is a little more environmentally aware (like ponytail holders from Japan), even if it still is widening it's ecological footprint due to shipment.

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For more on changes in China, see National Geographic's May 2008 edition: China - Inside the Dragon. It's the first issue of theirs that I've read from cover to cover. Also, the January/February 2008 edition of Mother Jones takes an analytical look at China's development in its cover article: The Last Empire: China's Pollution Problem Goes Global.