The Environmental Impact of Globalization
(548 Words)
Every day the world is changing. More and more, the small compartmentalized states, countries and continents come virtually closer, forming a global world in terms of economy, politics and environment. Differences will always remain, yet with the advent of the Internet and the opening of markets, people are communicating and working together more than ever. This globalization has wide reaching tendrils, which can be found in many aspects of culture. One place that is touched – for both the good and bad – is the environment.
Protection of a global environment
As individuals of the countries of the world become knowledgeable of the affairs and environmental issues of other countries, so does their activism. People who have never seen a rainforest and probably never will in their lives have donated money to help preserve them. Environmental organizations such as Greenpeace have emerged to try to address different environmental issues. This money and effort has helped preserve many vital environmental ecosystems and will hopefully continue to do so for years in the future.
There is also an increased awareness of how local activity can affect the Earth as a whole. Global warming is not caused by everyone on Earth, however that is whom it will touch. People can better see how their actions spread into the environment of others and how it is everyone’s responsibility to address it.
Water and air pollution across boundaries
Unfortunately, globalization had had a number of ill effects on the environment. As the people from one country expand into others, they may cause air and water pollution. Large factories have been built to deal with the global demand, and these may spew unhealthy waste that can damage the environment.
Over-fishing of the world’s waters
The demand of the world can be great, and a lot of businesspeople are out to get as much as they can. They may take actions that are not good for the environment in search of the bottom line. For instance, they may over-fish in the oceans. The cost of meeting their demand may be irreversible harm to the underwater realm.
Invasion of foreign species
Another ill affect is the invasion of a plant or animal species into a new environment. A simple new organism can play havoc with the existing ecosystem. For instance, Kudzu is a quick growing vine that is native to Japan and China. It was brought into the southeastern United States and has since played havoc. Its growth has been described as out of control. Many similar situations involve other animals and plants brought by foreigners in the spread of globalization.
Effect of unhealthy factories in less regulated countries
As globalization occurs, many businesses have chosen to locate factories in foreign countries. Oftentimes they do this because they can procure cheaper labor or because some of the environmental and other regulations are much more lax than in the United States. These factories do great damage to the water, air and ecosystem around them, and there may not be a responsible government or organization to stop them.
Globalization has the power to help or hinder the global environment. Steps must be taken to ensure that the impact of globalization is positive. There is only one Earth and every citizen has a responsibility to protect it.
Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Globalization
http://www.uiowa.edu/ifdebook/issues/globalization/readingtable/environment.shtml