[s917]

How much stuff do we in the west consume that originates in China, where they don't seem to give a damn about environmental controls?

And exactly how much CO2 and other chemicals are belched out by these giant container ships we use to get it all to us?

We can buy all the solar panels, wind turbines, electric cars and energy efficient washing machines we want, but until China (and probably others) starts playing ball AND we find a way to move vast quantities of stuff around without container ships we're probably fighting a losing battle.

Would it be possible to manufacture goods in the regions they're to be sold in?

edit: wordings.

[vkou]

Almost all of it. We used to make it with little regard for the environment - now China does.

If you want to fix that problem, institute a carbon tax, and import tarrifs on countries that don't have carbon taxes.

Practically, with things like the TPP, that's not the way the world is going.

[malka]

well, we could have nuclear container ships, I guess. May not be the best idea ever though.