Abstract
This paper explores how consumption of nondurable goods in the United States and Brazil is linked to greenhouse gas emissions, specifically carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrous dioxide (N2O), and methane (CH4). Non-durable goods pollute the environment through production, transportation, consumption, and decomposition. The overconsumption of non-durable goods such as food, fuel, cosmetics, tobacco, and clothing are causing deforestation, loss of soil, soil pollution, and many more. After measuring the levels of pollutants from 2003-2017, they are compared to non-durable good consumption rates. This paper uses a collection of data from St. Louis Federal Reserve Economic Data (FRED) regarding consumption indicators, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Natural Resources Conservation Service Soils (NRCSS) database for evidence of global land degradation, the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), and the ERS (Economic Research Services). The model used in this paper is based off a Brandão et al. (2018) model used to study the impact of agriculture and fuel consumption on GHG emissions. As developed economies continue to evolve as consumption powerhouses, air pollution becomes an increasing worry.
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