'Folk' International Economics - Much Ado About Mb

The battle over immigration reform is a recent manifestation of a long debate over the relationship between the United States and other countries. To economists, these issues are easy. Since at least the work of David Ricardo (1772-1823), economists have known that international trade is desirable and beneficial for both trading partners. But the continuing debate over these issues is evidence that many citizens have difficulty understanding or accepting the wisdom of economists. When there is such disagreement, it is useful to look for the causes of the dispute rather than merely decrying the ignorance of non-economists. Much Ado about MB The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, which took effect in 1989, is an international agreement to limit or phase out various chemicals that deplete the ozone layer. One such chemical is methyl bromide (MB), an important pesticide used to control harmful insects, rodents, pathogens and weeds. The U.S. government (that is, the EPA) can, with the approval of the protocol's international oversight committee, grant exceptions for specific amounts of certain chemicals that are considered to be critically needed. Regulators have made this process a nightmare for those who produce or need MB. But even if all manmade methyl bromide were eliminated, more than 80 percent of the current volume would still be released into the atmosphere, because most of MB emissions are the result of natural processes