Final answer:
Relying on internationally supplied food and goods can negatively impact the environment due to increased transportation emissions and the relocation of production to countries with lower environmental standards. Although trade is essential for economic growth, especially in low-income countries, it presents challenges for balancing environmental protection with development and national interests.
Step-by-step explanation:
It is true that relying on food and goods supplied internationally can have negative impacts on the environment. Global trade can lead to environmental degradation as countries with high consumer demand, such as Europe's demand for hamburger, influence production methods and scale in other parts of the world.
Moreover, international trade often involves longer transportation distances, which increases greenhouse gas emissions. Low-income countries may have lower environmental standards compared to high-income countries because their primary concerns are immediate needs such as food, education, and healthcare.
In situations where production moves to countries with lax pollution standards, a trade-off occurs between economic growth and environmental protection. This dynamic can lead to multinational firms relocating their production to take advantage of looser regulations, which can harm the local environment.
However, completely shutting off trade is not seen as an effective strategy for improving the environment across the board. Instead, there is a complex interplay between economic development, environmental standards, and international trade policies, requiring careful consideration and balanced approaches to protect both national interests and environmental health.