Globalization's impact on global environmental degradation and sustainability

Globalization and the Environment

This work in writing will examine and thoroughly analyze the impact that globalization has had on the environment of the world. "Global environmental problems are increasingly important because of their impact on industrial activities, infrastructures, ecosystems, natural resources, biodiversity and human health. These problems can be managed and solved only through international cooperation, policy coordination, and voluntary, widespread, equitable participation in the decision-making process."

This work seeks to answer the questions of 1) "What importance has global networking (via the internet, etc.) played in preserving wildlife and forests?"

"How has production changed (because of globalization)?"

"How does the WTO affect the environment by rules that are imposed?"

"How has environmental activism evolved over the years with the oncoming of globalization?"

Introduction

Global environmental problems are the result of problems created by mankind as well as part of the earth's natural cyclic existence. Recent environmental problems are greenhouse emission gases, water that is unfit to drink, life in the oceans and seas are dying off as well as land animals becoming rapidly extinct. Globalization has had a very definite influence on these present conditions. Globalization is defined as "the integration of national markets through international trade and investment." (Manzella, 2002)

According to Manzella (2002) globalization "offers infinite possibilities, greater freedom and new hope for the world's poor." Although this sounds really great in theory it has not proven to be true. In fact, the "production, processing, and consumption of commodities requires the extract and use of natural resources" (Shah, 2005) such as wood, ore, fossil fuels and water; and "it requires the creation of factories and factory complexes whose operation creates toxic by- products, while the use of commodities themselves creates pollutants and waste." (Shah, 2005 citing -- Richard Robbins, Global Problem and the Culture of Capitalism, (Allyn and Bacon, 1999, pp. 209-210) One example of this type of commodity is the automobile.

I. Sustainability: Is it Possible?

According to urban planner at the University of British Columbia, William Rees, it takes an estimated four to six hectares of land to maintain the consumption level of the average person from a high-consumption country.(Shah, 2005) However, the innate problem with this is that there only exists 1.7 hectares of land that is ecological productive for each person. The current system of "perpetual growth" contains risk such as it is:

1) Destructive in the long run to the environment

2) a contributing factor to poverty around the world.

3) a contributing factor to hunger amongst such immense wealth; and 4) Numerous other social and ecological problems. (Shah, 2005)

II. Capitalism Is Negative to the Survival of the Species

Other elements of globalization that negatively affects the world's environments are the misuse of land and resources and the exportation of pollution and waste from wealthy countries to the poorer countries of the world. The expansion of capitalism and the continuous growth and expansion has affected the environment in a negative way. With the building of houses and dwellings habitats such as wetlands and forest are destroyed along with the homes to wildlife contained in these areas. Wetlands are part of what prevents flooding and droughts in the areas which surround them. Richard H. Robbins states in his book, Global Problems and the Culture of Capitalism that, "In Capitalism, there are, in addition to elected leaders, capital controllers, individuals or groups who control economic resources that everyone depends on but who are accountable to virtually no one, except a few investors or stockholders. Their goals often conflict with state goals." Some of these companies move their production facilities to other areas of the world which results in the exploitation of the poor and many of them children who live in poverty and work for only a fraction of what workers in developed countries would require in wages. Furthermore these companies often harm the environment by inappropriate disposal of waste, clearing of forests and other areas.

III. Invasive Species

In a report by the Union of Concerned Scientists a threat to the environment termed "invasive species" is stated to be "quietly changing the face of our planet." In the report it is stated that these "unwitting travelers" are organism that have been moved by either "design or accident from one region of the world to another" due to the increasing globalization of our economy, with its extensive travel and shipment of goods, bring an ever-increasing number of new invasions. In the United States alone, scientists estimate that about 7,000 invasive species of plants, mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles, fish, arthropods and mollusks are established. The examples given are as follows:

The northern snakehead fish (Channa argus), an Asian native, was discovered in a lake in Maryland in 2002. Some species of snakeheads, including the northern, can move short distances across land and live out of water for three days. Officials feared this predator could move into other waterways and decimate a host of other species." (Union of Concerned Scientists, 2003) series of aquatic invaders in the Great Lakes -- including the sea lamprey, rusty crayfish, and zebra mussel -- has caused catastrophic declines in populations of native species; introduced new parasites and diseases; and changed the way ecosystems function in this, the world's largest freshwater resource." (Union of Concerned Scientists, 2003)

It is stated that these invasive species cost billions of dollars on an annual basis in damage and control measures.

Biodiversity and Human Health Connected

According to the article entitled "The Loss of Biodiversity and Its Negative Effects on Human Health" states that earth's basic physical, chemical and biological systems depend on intertwined connections between resources and organisms..[and]..evidence shows that human impact has begun to significantly alter these basic systems and consequently cause declines in biodiversity - the measure of the total number, variety, and interdependence of all organism living in an environment."

The earth, having lost its' biodiversity will see the emergence of disease that are highly infectious and contagious. The destruction of the ecosystem will further fragment the natural controls in earths system resulting in fast-spreading diseases and the extinction of species. According to SEAM Global (2005) "The interactions of plant, animal, microbial, and non-living components of the environment maintain ecosystems that serve myriad purposes, including regulation of gas concentrations, water filtration, soil fertilization, provision of food and fuel, and regulation of global temperature and precipitations."

Another very important area of effect due to loss of biodiversity is medications and the further discover of medications. Of the top 150 medications that are sold by prescription in the U.S. 118 of these are medications that are either "derived from or modeled on naturally occurring substances." (SEAM Global, 2005) Some of the medications that count on habitat presently being destroyed are "aspirin, morphine, vincristine, taxol, digitalis, and most antibiotics."(SEAM Global, 2005)

VI. Internet/Networking: Role Played in Preservation

Through global and subglobal assessments of the ecosystem and monitoring of data in relation to global changes information may be shared from one region to another and earlier attempts made in changing, slowing or altogether avoidance of more extreme conditions. As stated on the web page of "GreenFacts.org": "Some ecosystem problems have been reduced by innovative local responses...Therefore institutions are needed at multiple levels to strengthen the adaptive capacity and effectiveness of sub-national and local responses. (GreenFacts.org, 2005)

VII. Globalization and Changes in Production

Changes have been seen in the production of goods since the move of globalization began. For example food once produced on farms is now mass produced with livestock crammed and jammed as close as they can possibly be fit into cages and pens. Steroids are shot into these tortured animals which are often given antibiotics to keep them from dying from the poor conditions. Production of clothing and other types of goods have been moved to underdeveloped countries where cheap labor is shamelessly had and children are often hired as workers and exploited in the poor conditions with low pay.

VIII. The World Trade Organization (WTO)

The World Trade Organization (WTO) and the body of trade laws is backed by an "powerful enforcement mechanism" (Dawkins, 2005) Its' dispute settlement body can require national governments to change national and local laws that interfere with a foreign company's right to trade or face sanctions." In other words is the World Trade Organization, in a dispute agrees that the laws of trade in one country hinders another countries trade, then the country who is 'hindering trade' can be forced to "reform that law or forfeit millions of dollars of export revenues." recent case that will likely set a legal precedent is the request of the U.S. Of the WTO Dispute settlement body in the determination whether or not the EU regulations of genetically engineered food and seed imports are an illegal barrier to trade because they are not scientifically justified."(Dawkins, 2005)

IX. Global Linkages

Today's consumption patterns are extremely unsustainable and as well they are inequitable in nature. While only 1/5 of the world's population is composed by the riches countries of the world, 45% of the total meat consumption is credited to these countries along with 58% of energy use, 84% of paper use and 87% of the total vehicles owned world wide are vehicles in these rich countries. The poorest 1/5 of the world population which equals approximately 1 billion people lack food, shelter, housing, water and sanitation as well as access to electricity.

X. Environmental Activism's Evolution

Activism in years gone by meant appearing at public places, assembling for rallies and protests and other publicly attended events. However, today in the Internet age it is possible to create waves without ever leaving home. In the privacy of one's own home the activist can write the President of the U.S. And send it and it be received by the President on the very same day. The Internet has brought the activist the benefit of being able to protest from afar, to join with others of the same mind and in a coordinated effort to make a difference in the world.

XI. Sustainability Explained

Sustainability is a terms which means that the individual human being is sustained or provided for by a set amount or measurement acreage of land. Yet, there is not enough land in existence today to sustain the population of the earth at the rate of consumption presently being witnessed. The approach of late is one which is systematic in nature and emphasizes the need to:

Make goods and services serve sustainable development: meeting basic needs, improving quality of life, raising efficiency, and regenerating the environment.

Reform the underlying patterns of demand, such as market forces, demographics, social and cultural values, technology, regulations and infrastructure.

Use the demand side to lever long-term social, economic and environmental benefits in use and along the product chain.

Influence the purchase, use and disposal choices made by corporations and public authorities, not just individual consumers.

Identify innovative political, cultural and market approaches to comprehending and changing complex patterns.

A seven point agenda in achieving the global shift are shown in the Chart labeled Chart 1.0 below:

Chart 1.0

Conclusion

It is clear that patterns of consumption, of land development, pollution, waste, genetic modification of food products, and this to list only a few of the many destructive practices of the world today that all nations of earth are in serious danger of coming to understand through experience the dismal existence that has been forced upon the underdeveloped countries of the world for many generations. It is clear as well that should the world continue without amending the present practices in use of fossil fuels and other wasteful practices that sustainability will only be a topic for the few organisms remaining after the extinction of mankind and all higher life forms upon the earth. Some plan of action for addressing the problems in terms of the environment, ecology, and the state of existence of those in countries that lack food, shelter and proper healthcare are urgent in nature. It is time that the people of the world awake from the blissful stupor of over-consumption and over-indulgence and demand that those in leadership positions support the efforts of those who have already initiated plans for addressing these problems and that these leaders are required to seek solutions while in their positions in office.