Globalization's Impact on Environment: A Closer Look - Essay Sample

Introduction

The environmental impacts of globalization is predominantly defined by world's economic activities. Some notable examples of these activities include operations of multinational corporations in the developing world, free trade agreement and destruction of vital rain forest for commercial gain such as timber consumption among others. Loosely put, globalization is the upsurge in integration of and interaction among various activities, specifically the human societies and economic events around the globe. These social and economic activities have potentially adverse effects on the society, people, health, economic and climate among others. Climate change is defined by rapid changes in worldwide weather conditions associated with an increase in the average temperature of the globe. From the definition, it is clear that climate change is a global issue caused by rapid growth in globalization (McMichael, 2013). Climate change as a result of globalization is associated with the increase in human economic activities that have negative impact on the environment.

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Impact on Society

The impact of environmental changes witnessed throughout the world impacts society differently since diverse groups of people has different capabilities to cope with the effects. For example, the poor in society will experience hard time dealing with the impacts of climate change. According to Najam, Runnalls and Halle (2016), the effect of climate change on the poor may be fatal because they have limited resources to tsunamis, heat, increased cost of food or even relocation. Additionally, elderly people may also be impacted. For instance, the largest population of people living in the warmer regions of United States are the elderly. It is predicted that in the future, these people may experience tropical storms, warmer temperature and prolonged droughts that will affect them negatively. The other sensitive group in the society affected by changes in climate are the young children. The health of children in areas with poor weather is exposed to dangerous health outcomes. Children's immune and bodily system is still developing; they need proper and healthy food to develop fully. Access to such foodstuff may not be possible due to poor weather conditions. Children also rely on others to assist them in case of environmental disasters like floods and droughts. The poor, children and the elderly in society are the people most impacted by climate change. The essential factor to know about these people is that they contribute a little to activities that cause globalization. Majority of the people consuming commodities that pollute the environment are not the poor and elderly but rich and young people living in environmentally friendly areas.

Globalization and Myself

Studying globalization has been an eye-opener to me about the things that go on around the world. As a person interested in ecology and climate change, globalization has done more harm to the environment than good. As the word continually stay interconnected, demand for goods and services increases. It is on this backdrop that most companies take advantage of the ready market and produce more commodities. Globalization, therefore, results in the overproduction which negatively impacts the environment. Another essential concept learned during my study is how the multinational corporations from the west move to establish firms in developing nations where the laws on pollution are not strict compared to the host nation. These firms take advantage of the weak laws and end up polluting the environment. The argument of free trade has made the situation worse as firms freely move into new markets and pollute the environment even more. Initially, I perceived globalization as a concept that will bring the world together to overcome challenges such as hunger, famine and wars until I did my research on the topic. Even though the advantages of globalization are evident, it is essential to point out the negative side, particularly on the environment. I now believe that globalization has done more harm than good to the environment as innocent people such as children, the elderly and the poor carry a burden so heavy that they know little about.

Critical analysis of globalization will influence my professional field in a positive way. My concentration, henceforth, will be on environmental conservancy in the light of increased global economic activities. Globalization already plays a significant role in my professional path due to the adverse effects, specifically on environment and its impact on the vulnerable in the society. In the next decade or so the topic of overcoming the dangers of overproduction to meet the increasing demand as a result of globalization will be an exciting area for me to study.

Society

Studying globalization and its impact on the environment has been important to me on how I can relate to people within any society. Critical analysis of globalization, for example, equip me with relevant knowledge of the emerging dangers and concern of this powerful phenomenon. Most people may not know the harmful effects of globalization on society like climate change. With the knowledge acquired so far I will impact policy formulation at the local level to have clean environment. The policy formulation process calls for public participation where my input on consumption of some commodities deemed as dangerous to the society will be banned. Through the study, I will be capable of teaching the people around me how importation of some products may not preserve the environment for future generation. Understanding globalization, specifically economic activities of the world, has enhanced how I view the rapid changes in climate across the globe.

Globalization is the root cause of severe changes in the environment. However, through it, the world leaders can come together and put an end to this danger. We already see various efforts through many global organizations on how to end climate change. I recommend that these leaders should come together for the good of the environment and pass stricter regulations on economic activities that may lead to degradation of the environment.

Conclusion

Even though governments come together to address global challenges like climate change, in essence, it is not easy to fully implement regulation on economic activities that affect the environment. The main problem is the lack of a global body to enforce the passed laws regarding the same. Sanctions have been used in the past they are not sufficient. Countries like China and Japan engage in activities that pollute the environment and deplete aquatic life respectively regardless of what the law says. At a personal and professional level, globalization analysis adds value on how I critique the global events and their impact on the larger society. Many people may not already know the positive and negative implications of globalization, but few understand the immediate danger of continued global economic practice.

References

McMichael, A. J. (2013). Globalization, climate change, and human health. New England Journal of Medicine, 368(14), 1335-1343. DOI: 10.1056/NEJMra1109341

Najam, A., Runnalls, D., & Halle, M. (2016). Environment and Globalization: Five Propositions (2010). The Globalization and Environment Reader, 94. Retrieved from http://www.web.cemus.se/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Environment_and_Globalization_Five_Propositions.pdf