Global Warming

Globalization has had far-reaching effects on our lives. Globalization has led to the rapid rise in urbanization and industrialization, resulting in economic prosperity and progression in many countries. While globalization may have significant positive effects on economic growth, the negative impacts on the environment should not be downplayed (Goldin, 2009). The precipitous rise in global consumerism due to globalization has resulted in an unsustainable consumption of the earth’s natural resources in which the rate of depletion outpaces that of replenishment (Rajkobal, n.d.). Besides that, the increase in consumption has also raised several environmental concerns, particularly the aggravating global-warming phenomenon which seems to undermine the benefits of globalization. Thus, this paper seeks to examine the impacts of globalization on the environment that leads to climatic changes and how these problems can be alleviated through international cooperation and the use of new media.

First, globalization has contributed to the rise in greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Globalization causes an increase in cross-border interactions as well as the demand for production of goods, which in turn places tremendous stress on the environment. Individuals and businesses migrate from country to country in search of better prospects. This has certainly put pressure on existing land resources. As the amount of land available decreases, forested areas are encroached upon to pave way for new households and industries. Thus, countries resort to mass deforestation as the alternative solution for overpopulated areas. As forests play a significant role in the regulation of the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere (Gorte & Sheikh, 2010), deforestation would thus cause carbon dioxide, a type of greenhouse gas, to build up rapidly.

Greenhouse gases that are generated from industries contain mainly carbon dioxide which is harmful and causes air pollution. Similarly, transporting raw materials for manufacturing purposes require vehicles that emit these greenhouse gases. The increase in greenhouse gases in the atmosphere will hence result in global warming as heat is trapped in the atmosphere by these harmful gases. Global warming has an adverse effect on the climate changes (Goldin, 2009) that include irregular weather patterns and droughts.

The need to solve these issues should be given utmost priority as it concerns the subsistence of the human race. It is impossible to solve a global crisis at national level. Therefore, to overcome the problem of global warming, coordinated efforts across borders should be enhanced (Brown, 2013). A notable example that highlights this point is the joint collaboration between United States and Canada to impede environmental damages. During industrialization, it was estimated that air pollution claimed the lives of 5900 Canadians yearly (“Air pollution kills…Canada,” 2005). The industries produced large amount of pollutants and caused trans-boundary movement of air pollution on both sides of the borders. Hence, to improve the air quality in both countries, they came into an agreement known as the “U.S.-Canada Air Quality Agreement”. It serves to control the emissions of air pollutants by at least half of what is generated. After the signing of the agreement, emissions of sulphur dioxide have been reduced by approximately two-thirds since 1990 (Ottawa, 2011). This has shown that through planning and collaboration between countries, effective results in containing global warming can be achieved.

However, such agreements can only be carried out effectively if both parties adhere to them willingly. Without penalty for breaking the agreement, any country taking part in programs that are beneficial to them will not fear any repercussion that they might face (Esty, & Ivanova, 2003). One such incident would be the United States pulling out of the Kyoto Protocol that was aimed to reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases to curb imminent environmental issues (Chanda, 2008). They believed that it will damage their economy due to operation limitations imposed on the industries. Thus, brings no benefit to the country. To prevent similar situations from happening, a globally recognized environmentalist group can be formed. This is to aid and facilitate the signing of agreements among countries and to impose heavy penalties to parties that do not comply.

In addition, governments should create awareness to the mass public using new media. National Geographic Earth Day Run and 07.07.07 Live Earth are examples of successful events that used new media to reach out to mass audiences all over the world.  These two events create awareness of the current world’s environmental issues and have proven to be effective (Jones, 2007; Ubalde, 2012) as more people are now aware of the damages done to the environment that will affect us adversely.

However, it resulted in more damages done rather than the protection of the environment. In both events, the damage generated far exceeded the environmental pollution that was normally produced in a day. The aims of the events were to show appreciation for mother Earth. But, at the end of the event, litters were shown not disposed properly (Smith, 2007; Ubalde, 2012). This has resulted in a two faced solutions and it is evident that having awareness of the environment does not assure that individuals will help to improve the current situation. Therefore, the government should come up with schemes to reward event organizers who play their part to ensure minimal litters are found after the event and to impose heavy fines on those who failed to comply. Then the situation can be improved.

Globalization has brought about drastic changes to our climate condition and is damaging the Earth. We depend largely on the environment for survival to a large extent. To alleviate the problems, we seek international cooperation among countries to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Governments should create awareness to educate the public on the importance of a clean environment. The future of the world belongs to the younger generation. Therefore, we have to impart the proper guidance on environmental conservation and teaching the right ethics to the younger generation. Through these, a more sustainable environment can be realized.