Journal of Geography  & Natural Disasters
Open Access

Effects of Globalization on Environment

Rebecca Bentley^{* *}Correspondence: Dr. Rebecca Bentley, Department of Biology and Sciences, University of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa, Email:

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Description

Globalization is the development of ideas, knowledge, information, products, and services throughout the world. In business, the word is used in an economic context to define linked economies characterized by free trade, open capital flows among nations, and easy access to foreign resources, especially labor markets, to optimize returns and benefit the common good. The integration of cultural and economic systems drives globalization as it is known in various areas of the world. This integration encourages and in some circumstances requires more interdependence, integration, and engagement across states. The more nations and areas of the world are politically, culturally, and economically connected, the more globalized the world becomes. Countries in a globalized world specialize in the products and services in which they have a competitive edge. This often refers to what they can create and supply most effectively, with the fewest resources, and at a lower cost than competitors.

In principle, if all nations specialize in what they do best, global production should be more efficient, prices should be cheaper, economic development should be widespread, and all countries should gain. Economic globalization is fueled by policies that encourage free trade, open borders, and international collaboration. They enable enterprises to access lower-cost raw materials and parts, take advantage of lower-cost labor markets, and offer their goods and services in bigger and rising markets throughout the world. Money, goods, commodities, information, and people travel national borders faster than ever before. Technological advancements have permitted and increased this movement, as well as the consequent worldwide linkages and interactions. These technical advancements have been most noticeable in transportation and telecommunications.

Globalization has a significant influence on the environment, both positively and negatively. However, globalization has contributed to the significant environmental devastation that we are facing. Some national and international measures are now in place to mitigate the environmental implications of globalization. Increased greenhouse gas emissions, climate change is the most serious environmental issue, and it is linked to increased greenhouse gas emissions excessive retention of solar radiation in the atmosphere owing to the accumulation of specific gases, mainly CO₂. The rapid development of developing countries throughout the years has resulted in big GHG emitters. Because of globalization, emerging countries frequently put the environment at risk to make a profit. The best example is China, which constructs a new coal-fired power plant every week even though coal is the cheapest and most abundant fossil fuel, as well as the most polluting. China is often regarded as the world's greatest source of CO₂ emissions. However, it oversees significant renewable energy programs. Countries such as India, the United States, the United Kingdom, and others are attempting to achieve 100 percent renewable energy by 2030.

Globalization promotes deforestation by reducing the amount of CO₂ that plants convert into oxygen through logging and burning. Converting the rainforest/oxygen house into farmland or concrete jungle for the production of commodities and meeting market demand in one way or another, over twice the area of Paris is turned into farmland for agricultural purposes every day, particularly in developing nations. For example, in Brazil a few years ago, much of its agriculture was geared for export. Soy shipments from Brazil to China increased from 15,000 to 6 million tons.

Global warming is also one of the reasons for a rise in natural catastrophes such as hurricanes, storms, floods, and earthquakes, as well as the melting of glaciers, which raises sea levels. Parts of the coastal region are quite vulnerable. Due to rising temperatures, extant species such as penguins, snow leopards, dolphins, whales, and polar bears may go extinct shortly. It hurts to know that this lovely species has to pay for its existence due to human actions and that they will leave an everlasting impact on the world's environment.

Some fish specie’s seas have been emphasized because of overfishing. Overfishing occurs as a result of increased worldwide demand, not just for food but also for therapeutic purposes. Overfishing has led to the extinction of the Mediterranean blue-fin tuna, a delicacy in Japan. 1400 dolphins have been slaughtered in Denmark on Faroe Island. Previously, dolphins and whales were hunted for consumption on this island, but illicit selling has escalated the hunting.

Conclusion

In wealthy nations, the growing demand for exotic basic resources and agricultural goods is affordable to consumers at a fair price. Rising demand gradually reduces plant availability. The demand for teak wood for furniture and other high-quality woods is on the list of vulnerable species. The growing demand for paper has contributed to deforestation, and urbanization has also contributed to the extinction of flora and animals on earth's surface. Forests are also being destroyed in Latin America and Sub-Saharan Africa. Total environmental impacts would result in a USD 68 billion yearly loss to the global economy. Globalization has had a significant impact on our way of life. It has made our lives easier by increasing access to technology, improving creativity and communication, and bringing people from diverse cultures together. Apart from the cross-border development, it resulted in a powerful economic channel for the state. This also raised concerns about the environment, because every good activity has a negative impact.