Report on the Threats to the Global Environment
Introduction
Threats to the global environment such as climate change, energy sources, civil war, and lack of educational opportunities previously discussed continue to elicit debate on the global environmental front. However, there still exist other global environment elements that environmentalist belief do not necessarily pose critical threats. The paper intends to try and debunk these perceptions, bringing to attention the United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP) to consider these threats on a different environmental spectrum. The two threats that will be discussed are globalization and inappropriate uses of Technology. The phenomenon will emphasize why these threats are of less critical concerns to the global environment than the four elements previously discussed. Later on, the report will give a summary of these threats to the United Nations to address their prioritization concerns consequently.
Globalization
Many environmentalists still believe that globalization continues to have a devastating impact on the global environment, yet its positive effects are felt worldwide. Globalization is defined as the interconnectedness of people and businesses across the world that eventually leads to global cultural, political, and economic integration Ali et al., (39). The phenomenon helps people to move and communicate freely from one geographical region to another to conduct business.
Globalization as less critical to the global environment
The generally positive impact of globalization on the environment cannot be overemphasized. As this phenomenon’s increased pace continues to be felt, some environmental researchers strongly believe in its contribution. The following are the less critical impacts of globalization:
The economic impact of globalization
Economic interdependence among international economies continues to result in good energy sources and economic stability in many nations. Not only does globalization deal with the movement of goods from one state to another, but the transfer of technologies and capital goods. Therefore multinational corporations will move their state of the art technologies to countries having low environmental standards. Besides, outsourcing of labor, Technology, and other economic support can result in low countries’ development. For example, multinational companies operating on a global scale like Walmart in France use satellite in several branches across the world hence monitoring and staying open throughout as they serve their customers Lawrence et al., (447). Labor outsourcing may bring much-needed knowledge and skills as such; more developed countries like the US may pass policies that will enable influential firms to move its workforce to struggle countries hence imparting the necessary skills for economic development. Therefore, creating educational opportunities for the locals. Also, with globalization, some automobiles may use parts of their vehicle assemblies from other countries. For example, the processes of assembling a car like a Volkswagen in the US does not depend on the local spare parts. Lawrence et al. (447) asserts that importing parts from Japan, Korea, and Germany necessitates this work. In the process, the ability to use energy resources is enhanced besides creating new trade avenues. It will be upon the US to pay for the parts hence impacting the economic development upon their shipment.
The United Nations (UN) agencies’ intervention.
The UN constituent’s agencies such as the world trade organization play a pivotal role in highlighting the trading policies. Besides, the advent of the European Union is brought about an integration of 28 economic and political unions thanks to globalization Wheeler, Tim, and Joachim (511). Hence a lot of positive economic realization can be achieved when they decide to pool together resources to help a struggling nation. Also the union encourages immigration between member states, with subsequent currency exchange and tourism attraction. Thus resulting into a spur in enthusiasm between members for sustainable economic and friendly environmental trade policies. Countries in these unions like Canada have developed polices and signed trade agreements on the environmental safety measures to be taken prior to any business transactions.
Globalization on blending of culture
The spread of new culture across the globe is mostly seen by environmentalist as having emanated from slavery and the protracted civil wars and colonization. Indeed with globalization, most people were forced to move from one geographical region to another hence resulting into forced labor. Counties in the central Africa like Ghana and the DRC bared the heaviest brunt of this practice. Most of them were taken to the US and Asia to work in farms and manufacturing organizations. For example, with colonization under the leadership of Alexander the great, there was massive spread of culture across Europe, Asia, North America and Africa. Wheeler, Tim, and Joachim, (510). Today cities in Egypt, turkey, Pakistan among others are named after this great icon. The cross cultural integration witnessed in US also of black Americans also enables the exchange of social cultural values in the education systems. Christianity globalization was enhanced through the movement of Christian missionaries from Europe. The conversion of many people to a new way of living is detrimental to the global environment despite eroding other cultures. Individuals are able to learn the importance of humanity. Therefore, people will not contribute to the global environmental distraction through organizing for civil wars. They will also understand the negative use of weapons of mass detraction and chemicals and its impact to biodiversity. The faithful also understood the cons of use of biological weapons especially in the Vietnam which resulted in the toxic water and soil, killing God created plants and animals, and the destruction of biomass. The culture of food is also a factor of globalization. For instance, the Indian food is not only limited to the Indians. People can dine on the Indian delights in Africa, America and across Europe without having to travel. With time other affections of delicious food culture may begin from one region and spread across the world. Therefore, globalization enhances economic and cultural growth with the intention of managing global environmental threats through exchange of values and education.
Inappropriate use of Technology
The perception about the inappropriate use of Technology and its impact on environment is of concern among environmentalist. Yet increase in global concern for climate change has led to new advancement of environmental Technology to arrest these problems in the society. The concern today has shifted towards use of a more sustainable and low-carbon economy. Green or clean Technology is mostly associated with environmental Technology whose purpose is to conserve and monitor the negative effects of Technology on the environment and the resource consumption impact. The following three elements therefore discusses why inappropriate use of Technology is of less critical concern:
Renewable energy
Renewable resources are replenished natural energy sources used various production industries. These energy emanate from, sunlight, tides, rains, waves, geothermal heat and wind. Panwar, Kaushik, and Surendra (1518). The process of capturing this natural occurring resources is undoubtedly necessitated by the use of modern environmental Technology. Here it is converted into electricity and used in other heat devices such as wind and water turbines and solar panels. This is a reflection of a highly positive effect of use of Technology on the environment. Ali et al., (39) explains that currently in the UK renewable sources account for 20% production of electricity hence being the second largest generator of energy in the country. The prospects of its rise are high with EU targeting likely increase by 30% by 2020. The UNEP agencies are also cooperating in helping in the reduction of chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) to slow the emission of the ozone layer, for example the Montreal protocol. Members of the EU, the US and other countries gather occasionally to discuss about the devastating effect of this ozone. Ultimately they have formed environmental agreements that have since seen the ozone hole in Antarctica to start recovering.
Use of smart Technology
The idea behind smart Technology overrides its negative impact such as causes of civil wars and environmental degradation. The interconnections of different appliances by a linking sensor can easily be monitored from a centralized place hence serve as energy efficient method to the users. Today increased connectivity to the internet as a result of availability of Bluetooth, WiFi and smart sensors in most cities and buildings is something to behold. The use of cell phones connect people worldwide. Multitude of platforms such as Facebook messenger, Whatsup, instagram among others enable easier communication thus raising global awareness of the importance of preserving environment. Additionally, transport is drastically reduced since meetings and communication can be done virtually hence reducing pollution emanating from transport emissions.
Use of electric vehicles
The use of motor vehicles on the roads has over the time been regarded as the most cause of environmental degradation. The emission carbon in the air has contributes to adverse respiratory health complications to humanity. However, one of the Paris agreement goals stipulates the use of electric propelled motors, whose energy is stored in researchable batteries. Consequently, the manufacture of electric vehicles has been on the rise since 2008. Most vehicle firms have expressed the desire to reduce environmental carbon emissions and greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Additionally, these modern vehicles are cleaner, and do not contribute to the pollution of air therefore causing zero effects to the animals, human health, plants and animals. In the UK for example, there is presence of more electric vehicle charging stations that fuel station, a reflection of the impact of Technology in the use. Companies such as Boomberg predicts of having more electric vehicle by 2024 since they could become cheaper compared to petrol cars Panwar, Kaushik, and Surendra (1521).
Conclusion
Several global environmental threats do not necessarily pose danger to human life, plants animal and water. A closer look at their positive side clearly overrides its negative impact. Most environmentalist have perceived and addressed their concerns regarding these threats on a singular angle. Looking at the globalization and the inappropriate uses of Technology the report has addressed, one is convinced that their threats are less critical. Globalization has resulted in the development of many economies and blending of cultures across the world. The coming together of different environmental union like EU and world Trade Organization has seen a similar approach in the fight against global warming and environmental detraction. Moreover, the integration of cultures has enhanced togetherness. Today schools teach an integrated system of learning that educate students on the importance of conservation of environment. On the other hand appropriate uses 0f Technology presents an ideal approach of the use energy renewal and introduction of electric vehicles. Besides many believe that the use of smart Technology enhances instant communication done virtually therefore reducing travels that result in the air pollution from the vehicles. Furthermore, use of environmental Technology enhance rapid decarbornization of many economies besides mitigating further environmental effects. Therefore with this report, the UN should prioritize using both globalization and appropriate uses of Technology as keynotes in addressing global environmental concerns.
References
Ali, Sajjad, et al. “Climate change and its impact on the yield of major food crops: Evidence from Pakistan.” Foods 6.6 (2017): 39.
Lawrence, Michael J., et al. “The effects of modern war and military activities on biodiversity and the environment.” Environmental Reviews 23.4 (2015): 443-460.
Panwar, N. L., S. C. Kaushik, and Surendra Kothari. “Role of renewable energy sources in environmental protection: A review.” Renewable and sustainable energy reviews 15.3 (2011): 1513-1524.
Wheeler, Tim, and Joachim Von Braun. “Climate change impacts on global food security.” Science 341.6145 (2013): 508-513.