Know Your Stuff, Too

Paul Krugman's column in the NY Times today presents a compelling argument that any efforts we make toward stemming our carbon emissions will be insufficient in the face of China's rapidly growing carbon emissions.

How can we convince China to make improvements to their infrastructure? Simple: vote with your dollars. China can churn out junk that is cheap because they use highly polluting coal-burning power generation facilities, passing on the cost of environmental degradation to the rest of the planet, including their own people.

If we refuse to buy their products and instead buy locally, thoughtfully, sustainably made products, we not only support our local economy, we promote better environmental standards worldwide.

So before you buy that cheap plastic toy stamped "Made in China," think again. I will do some research over the weekend to find locally made products that are sustainably produced.