Economic Globalization and Sustainable Development
There are some significant downsides of globalize trade and perhaps the strongest argument
against economic globalization is its lack of sustainability or the degree to which the earth’s resources can
be used for our needs, even in the future. Specifically, the development of our world today by using the
earth’s resources and the preservation of such resources for the future is called sustainable development.
In other words, development has to be ensured in and for the future generations. One significant
global response or approach to economic globalization is that of sustainable environment (Borghesi and
Vercelli, 2008). The relationship between globalization and sustainability is multi-dimensional --- It
involves economic, political, and technological aspects.
The continuous production of the world’s natural resources, such as water and fossil fuel allows,
humanity to discover and innovate many things. We were able to utilize energy, discover new
technologies, and make advancements in transportations and communication. However, these positive
effects of development put our environment at a disadvantage. Climate change accelerate beneficial at
one hand, entails cost on other.
Environmental Degradation
Development, especially economic development, was hastened by the Industrial Revolution. This
is the period in human history that made possible the cycle of efficiency. Efficiency means finding the
quickest possible way of goods easier for the people. Then, there is an increased in demand. Ultimately,
there was an increased in efficiency. The Cycle harms the planet in a number of ways. For instance, the
earth’s atmosphere is damaged by more carbon emissions from factories around the world. Another
example is the destruction of coral reefs and marine Biodiversity as more and more wastes are thrown
into the ocean. Many experts do not think that the planet sustain a growing global economy.
Deforestation, pollution, and climate change will not adjust for us, especially if increases on living
standards lead people to demand more consumer goods like cars, meat, and smartphones.
Harvey (2005) noted that neoliberals and environmentalists debate the impact of free trade on
the environment. Environmentalists argue that environmental issues should be given priority over
economic issues (Antionio, 2007). Free trade, through its emphasis on the expansion of manufacturing,
is associated with environmental damage. For their part, neoliberals see the efforts of the
environmentalists as serious impediments to trade. Some seek to integrate these approaches. For
instance, ecological modernization theory sees globalization as a process that can be both protect and
enhance the environment (Yearley, 2007).
Various efforts are underway to deal with climate change. However, strong resistance on the part
of governments and corporations counters these. For instance, the Kyoto Protocol aimed at a reduction
of global carbon emissions. But failed to take off largely because it was not ratified by the United States
(Armitage, 2005). However, momentum is being built up in corporate circles in dealing with environmental
problems.
Previous experience in dealing with environmental issues indicates that a global view of the
problems is required. A focus on specific regions, such as Europe, overlooks impacts in other regions.
Instead of dealing with causes of global warming, there is some in “technological fixes” such as
geoengineering (Dean, 2007).
Food Security
The demand for food will be 60% greater than it is today and the challenge of food security
requires the world to feed 9 billion people by 2050 (Breene, 2016). Global food security means
delivering sufficient food in the entire world population. It is, therefore, a priority of all countries,
whether developed or less developed. The security of food also means the sustainability of society such
as population’s growth, climate change, water scarcity, and agriculture.
Breene (2016) cited the case of India to show how complex the issue of food security is in relation of
other factors :
Agriculture accounts for 18% of the economy's output and 47% of its workforce India is the second
biggest producer of fruits and vegetables in the world. Yet according to the food and Agriculture
Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, some 194 million Indians are undernourished, the largest of
hungry people In any single country. An estimated 15.2% of the population of India are too malnourished
to lead normal life. A third of the world's malnourished children live In India (n.p).
Another significant environmental challenge is that of the decline in the availability of fresh
water (Conca, 2006). The decline in the water supply because of degradation of soil or desertification
(Glantz, 1977), has transformed what was once considered a public good into a privatized commodity.
The poorest areas of the globe experience a disproportionate share of water-related problems. The
problem is further intensified by the consumption of "virtual water," wherein people inadvertently use
up water from elsewhere in the world through the consumption of water-intensive products (Ritzer,
2015). The destruction of the water ecosystem may lead to the creation of climate refugees, people who
are forced to migrate due to lack of access to water or due to flooding" (Ritzer, 2015 p.211)
Pollution through toxic chemicals has had a long term Impact on the environment. The use of
persistent organic pollutants (POPs) has led to significant industrial pollution (Dinham, 2007).
Greenhouse gases, gases that was trap sunlight and heat in the earth's atmosphere, contribute greatly
to global warming. In turn, this process causes the melting of land-based and glacial Ice with potentially
catastrophic effects (Revkin, 2008), the possibility of substantial flooding, a reduction in the alkalinity of
the oceans, and destruction of Ultimately, global warming poses a threat to the global supply of food as
well as to human health (Brown, 2007) Furthermore, population growth.
There are different models and agenda pushed by different organizations address the issue of
global food security. One of this is through sustainability. The United Nations has set ending hunger,
achieving food security and improved Nutrition, and promoting sustainable agriculture as the second of
its 17 Sustainable development Goals(SDGS) for the year 2030. The World Economic Forum(2010) also
addressed this issue through the New Vision for Agriculture (NVA) in 2009 wherein public-private
partnerships were established. It has mobilized over $10 billion that reached smallholder farmers. The
Forum's initiatives were launched to establish cooperation and encourage exchange of knowledge among
farmers government, civil society, and the private sector in both regional and national levels (Breene,
2016)
