Question

Do you think cement should be regulated ? why or why not ? 8 marks

Answer 1

Cement industry was heavily regulated nearly 4 decades ago but since then there has been constant debate as to cement should or should not be regulated. Cement is a good necessary for housing and other types of building, without which none of these activities are possible. Cheaper cement means cheaper cost of producing a house and other such structures which is beneficial to many. Secondly,Making cement is an activity which gives off the most pollution while producing it, regulating the industry will help reduce this pressure point. If companies are not careful in the coming years, the regulations surrounding this industry will increase by a lot in the future. The industry is also the third largest consumer of energy and the second largest emitter of waste, if such a highly polluting industry is not regulated things could go sideways very quickly. Therefore in the long run it is impossible to not regulate such a huge industry due to the mounting environmental hazards, therefore the companies need to be regulated again. The fact that when there were many regulations nearly 4 decades ago and the environment was much better says a lot. Lastly companies that conform with such requirements must be given incentives due to the hike in costs they will experience by going green.