The World Now Needs Green Trade, Not Free Trade

BY: John Feffer

Global economy surpasses $100 trillion in 2022, fueled by 4% annual trade growth since 1980 through globalization.

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"Free trade" treaties spread globalization, creating a legal architecture for capital, ignoring human and environmental rights.

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Global trade causes pollution, including carbon emissions responsible for climate change, accounting for 20-30% of global emissions.

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ISDS clauses in trade treaties allow corporations to sue governments over regulations affecting profits, hindering climate change reforms.

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Global trade controls fossil fuel agribusiness monopolies, hurting small-scale farmers as a better alternative to monoculture operations.

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Global agrobusiness generates methane and nitrous oxide emissions in addition to carbon emissions, exacerbating climate change.

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Global trade and alternatives to free trade were discussed in a December 2022 webinar by the Global Just Transition project.

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Domestic protectionism helped local businesses compete against foreign imports and investors in the modern era.

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