The industrial revolution began in the late 1700s in the United Kingdom and it was the beginning of a change that would affect the entire world and that would help further develop globalization. The mechanization of manufacturing processes made production faster, cheaper and easier, making it a necessary advantage to develop. Latin America’s industrialization mainly took place during the 20th century, and it is still ongoing, however, the effects have not always been positive.
Non-industrialized countries mainly focused on commodity production, which would later be exported and used in the production of different goods. After a more liberal economy was instituted, additional Latin American countries made reforms to be internationally competitive, as a result the industrial sector was further developed.
According to a study carried out by the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, after the reforms made by Brazil, Argentina and Mexico, there was a correlation in the increase in both GDP and environmental pollution. This data begged the question, what is more beneficial in the construction of a country?
As previously stated, industrialization is advantageous in building an internationally competitive nation and as such, it is heavily encouraged. However, most cases primarily focus on an inconsiderate expansion, as though resources were unlimited. Oil is the most valuable asset nowadays and yet it is also a finite asset. According to the Clean Air Institute:
Mexico City has long been plagued by smog but according to the report, Monterrey is the city with the highest levels of Particle Pollution (PM10) in all of Latin America. The concentration of PM10 per cubic meter is 85.9 micrograms in Monterrey; the European Union limits member countries to maintaining levels of under 40 micrograms per cubic meter. Guadalajara’s pollution is also toxic (70.1 mcg/m3) and Mexico City’s looks almost clean by comparison (57.0 mcg/m3).
Monterrey is heavily industrialized, from the 1950s it started developing as such, but the consequences have obviously not been addressed. In Mexico alone there are approximately 14,000 deaths each year because of air pollution, to which cars also contribute, but it is no coincidence that the states that are more contaminated are also those that are more industrialized.
Globally, there appears to be a stronger drive of monetary ambition that overlooks the ecological consequences. Although industrialization is undeniably necessary, people seem to ignore that if there is no sustainable development, then there can be no economical growth in the long term. 14,000 people is no small number and if effective measures to stop pollution levels from increasing are not taken, there might be no bright and ambitious future to strive to.
In the case of Mexico, I believe institutions on Ecological affairs should be created in order to make viable and real solutions to a problem that affects all of the society within the country. Latin America is generally a few steps behind many countries, however, that does not mean that the standards should be lowered, especially when this means endangering people’s lives, and in this matter pollution should be no exception. In the end, what is the point of endless growth if it is unsustainable in any aspect? It is not worth it, in my opinion, because the fact of the matter is resources are finite, and because our survival depends on them and the environmental conditions. Thus we cannot afford to keep on growing uncontrollably.
Andrea K. Romero
globalindustrialpollution 
Do you consider plausible the existence of a political party that is is self-called “Verde Ecologista”? I do consider that the reforms are really necessary but not only in certain aspects of pollution but a major reform that gets an enormous range to change the mentality but also the future of the mexicans.
I like the way you focused your article regarding the question: Should we keep polluting in order to keep growing (economically speaking)?
It is a tough question to answer, and for example if we consider that Monterrey is one of the cities in Mexico that heavily contributes to the growth of the GDP then that’s when the question comes up. I agree with you in the point that we can not longer afford to keep growing uncontrollably and without measures to look after our people who is being strongly affected by these toxins that are out in the air.
The thing is, however, that coming up with solutions is not easy enough because not everybody is going to be happy, and that can be seen with the privatisation of PEMEX. Eventhough it will definately bring foreign investment and our economy may have lots of benefits there is people that strongly believe that Mexican Oil only belongs to mexicans and that other countries should not interfere with whatever project PEMEX is undergoing.
We still have to see what matters most to people, investors, entrepeneurs and the government itself.
I liked a lot your article and liked how you ended up and I quote “our survival depends on them (natural resources) and the environmental conditions. Thus we cannot afford to keep on growing uncontrollably”, I’m completely agree with you. I think we need to stop growing because like I once read we are a plague for the world. I think we need stricter enviromental reforms .
The monetary ambition is one of the msot vile forms of corruption for it over looks the need of the world for the need of a few men, I liked that you talekd about a lot of statistics ! great work
I couldn’t agree more with you, what is the point of placing the development of our country first if in the end if in the end it will only cause the depletion of our natural resources and destruction of the environment.
great article
A very good article, Andrea. For me, the key to this issue is those who live in extreme poverty. It is very easy for us who enjoy a good standard of living to promote environmental projects at the expense of economic growth, however for those in poverty it is necessary to alleviate the issue. The example of China is the most interesting for me. Despite huge environmental pollution, China’s economic rise is taking millions of people out of extreme poverty each year. For me, the benefits of industrialization still outweigh the problems of environmental pollution.