Your cheap sweater's real cost (Cashmere and desertification in China)

[XemaSab]

ON THE ALASHAN PLATEAU, China -- Shatar the herdsman squinted into the twilight on the ruined grasslands where Genghis Khan once galloped.

He frowned and called his goats. The wind tasted like dust.

On the other side of the world, another morning dawned in the historic embrace between the world's low-cost factory and its best customer. Every minute of every day last year, America gobbled up $463,200 worth of Chinese goods--including millions of cashmere sweaters made from the hair of goats like Shatar's.

In less than a decade, a deluge of cheap cashmere from China has transformed a centuries-old industry, stripping the plush fabric of its pricey pedigree and making it available in big-box America. Chinese-made cashmere sweaters now go for as little as $19.99.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/specials/chi-china-cashmere-htmlstory,0,2722049.htmlstory

[aquart]

1. China's decision, not mine, honey.

It has no environmental regulation, that's what our industrialists love about it. They're already paying in a generation of crippled, poisoned children and it will go on until their policies destroy them or the massive climatic changes destroy us all.

The free market isn't free. It regulates by death. That's the price.

[d_r]

2. thank you for posting this

this was a fascinating read that documents some of the unexpected connections in the "global" economy

[timeforpeace]

3. I don't want to live in a world that allows China desertification.

[mother earth]

4. I agree completely with aquart. The free market is NOT free.

Sadly, China does not care about its own people. This is known fact. Poverty is rampant and jobs at any risk are the norm, from inhaling paint fumes laced with lead, you name it, China will sell, sell, sell, and they care not that deaths are the result. They don't care about adding melamine, a known poison, to food for pets and baby formula, life is a cheap commodity to be used for the almighty dollar. Given their bloody example of how they treat monks, their most spiritual asset, speaks volumes upon volumes on their arrogance and dishonor.

If we had the choice and the ability to make all countries honor labor laws, OSHA protections, environmental law, and just plain honoring life, it would be a done deal. Our politicians don't care here, they are too busy lining their bank accounts with special interest, all of the trade agreements should be make this PRIORITY ONE. Screw the free market if it means humanity is trashed.

Do our trade agreements stipulate honoring human rights and labor law? I don't think so. WHY?
This is a tool we let slide because we are beholding to the corporate interest.

[liberaltrucker]

5. Saved for further study

Thanks

[imdjh]

6. Maybe the luxuries simply have no inherent value. I have long suspected this.

I like caviar, I suppose as well as the next person. I wouldn't get off an exit early in DC rush hour to pick some up and I certainly wouldn't pay anything near the prices one hears mentioned to impress.

I like champagne, I suppose, but when you have already had two glasses, it really doesn't make sense to spend more than about $35 a bottle. I know the rats will fly out of their holes for this one, but expensive beer is a total waste of money after the first or second beer. People Magazine or Details did a study which ought to have embarrassed the very chic Manhattanites, but didn't, when it proved that their sophisticated and expensive preferences in vodka were all in their heads. That was perhaps the most impressive blind test that I have ever read about- no one got it right. Not one vodka snob could pick his brand from old standards like Smirnoff and Gilbeys.