Go to the internet and find a news article posted within the last month that discusses a potential positive or negative externality. I have no idea what this question is talking about. if someone could help me atleast understand what to look for id be happy

 

Please see the detailed response below. You can choose one of the externalities for your understanding. I described both negative and positive externalities from recent news articles. I have included links for the sources used.

Step-by-step explanation

An externality relates to a consequence of an industrial or commercial activity that has a third-party effect without it being accounted for in determination of the market prices. For instance, a beekeeper pollinates the surrounding crops even though the bees are kept for honey. Therefore, a negative externality relates to a cost incurred by a third party resulting from an economic transaction. In this case, the producer and consumer are first and second parties whereas any indirectly involved party such as organization, individual etc are third parties. Positive externality is the direct opposite of negative externality. Examples of negative and positive externalities within the last month include:

Positive externality

According to a report published by Pfizer on 18 November 2020, Pfizer and Biontech concluded Phase 3 study of the coronavirus vaccine which met all the efficacy endpoints. The efficacy analysis indicates that the vaccine is 95% effective against Coronavirus. The vaccine is a potential external externality since if the vaccine is administered to the public, the safety of the other people not vaccinated will also improve. As such, the other unvaccinated people are third parties enjoying the benefits of a transaction they have not entered into. Their safety has improved by other people being vaccinated.

Negative externality

According to a report published by Maya Earls in Bloomberg Law on 23 November 2020, a California Trucking Company was sued over water pollution releases. The trucking company is releasing polluted rainwater into Pajaro River on one of its facilities. The polluted water is endangering animals. In this case, the animals are third parties and are suffering the consequences of the water pollution that they are not privy to. This is an example of a negative externality.