Example of Student Work on Ecological Economics

Whose rules? High school freshman write about The World Trade
Organization (WTO)

     The following excerpts were written by high school freshman as part of a unit on globalization. We are currently developing new resources on this topic. Contact us if you'd like to be notified when they're ready.

On the WTO and democracy:
" In a sustainable society, the citizens should have a strong voice on things that will affect them. Unfortunately, the decision-making structure of the WTO gives people very little control over such decisions. So as we think about the future and how we want it to be, we have to ask, 'Who is in charge? Who do we want to be in charge?' " -- Zach S.

On the WTO and the principle of "harmonization":
" Although the WTO claims to protect the environment, its principle of harmonization actually serves to lower environmental standards. The WTO claims that environmental laws are "barriers" to trade and that they harm trading. Therefore, to create harmonization, they lower the high standard which makes the environment a second priority to business." -- Michelle B.

Students developed sample policies to reform, adapt, or replace WTO policies:

• Encourage environmentally-friendly industry through financial incentives such as tax breaks.
• Establish and enforce international certification standards for labeling, content, and manufacturing procedures of consumer goods.
• Undertake international environmental restoration; those responsible for damage must be responsible for clean-up.
• Wealthier countries should provide support for poorer countries to comply with standards, as well as capital for transitioning away from destructive industries.
• All stakeholders (business, citizens, government, labor, environmental and human rights groups) should participate democratically in making decisions about economic development.
• Guarantee the right to a living wage linked to local standards, collective bargaining, and independent unions.

Some of the Concepts, Standards, and Skills Addressed by this Activity:

• evaluating the costs and benefits of economic policies
• analyzing issues from different perspectives
• evaluating the role and impact of international economic institutions
• developing criteria for policies
• developing strategies to resolve conflicts among businesses, workers, and communities

Back to list of examples of student work.