The recession’s green lining

Despite the hardships we all face in the wake of the economic recession, these tough financial times are providing benefits to the environment in the form of carbon dioxide emissions reductions. Slowed economic growth has caused some of the world’s dirtiest factories to shut their doors, especially in developing nations such as China and Mexico.  Emissions from Europe and the United States are also projected to decline due to the to recession. Around the globe, there are many examples of how environmental quality is improving. It remains to be seen what will happen once economic activity picks up again.  While many nations are trying to use the poor economic conditions to implement emissions reductions and clean environment strategies for the future, there are hints that some of the factories that are shutting down (large emitters of carbon dioxide) could reopen should the demand for the goods