Technology, International Trade, and Pollution from US Manufacturing

Arik Levinson

American Economic Review, 2009, vol. 99, issue 5, 2177-92

Abstract: Pollution emitted by US manufacturers declined markedly over the past several decades, even as real manufacturing output increased. I first show that most of the decline in US manufacturing pollution has resulted from changing production processes ("technology"), rather than changes in the mix of goods produced. I then show that increased net imports of polluting goods ("international trade") accounts for only a small portion of the pollution reductions from the changing mix of goods. Together, these two findings demonstrate that shifting polluting industries overseas explains only a minor part -- less than 10 percent -- of the cleanup of US manufacturing. (JEL F18, L23, L60, O30, Q52, Q53)

JEL-codes: F18 L23 L60 O30 Q52 Q53 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2009
Note: DOI: 10.1257/aer.99.5.2177
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (255)

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Related works:
Working Paper: Technology, International Trade, and Pollution from U.S. Manufacturing (2008)
Working Paper: Technology, International Trade, and Pollution from U.S. Manufacturing (2007)
Working Paper: Technology, International Trade, and Pollution from U.S. Manufacturing (2007)
Working Paper: Technology, International Trade, and Pollution from U.S. Manufacturing (2007)
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