1.

Globalization is the process by which different societies, cultures, and regionaleconomies integrate
through a worldwide network of political ideas throughtransportation, communication, and trade.
Generally, globalization has affected manynations in various ways; economically, politically, and
socially. It is a term that refersto the fast integration and interdependence of various nations, which
shapes the worldaffairs on a global level. Globalization has affected the products people consume,
theenvironment, culture, security, and idea exchange between different countries. Thereare many
factors that lead to the speedy globalization trends. This acceleration inglobalization can be
attributed to an increase in free-trade activities, emergingtechnologies, or the worldwide acceptance
of markets. Globalization has affected cultures and economies on matters dealing withenvironmental
destruction and availability of the already limited resources.Globalization has had diverse
implications for environmental issues such as,pollution, deforestation, water resources climate
change, and biodiversity loss. Therampant environmental problems have become the subject of
international effortsbecause the effects are felt globally. The negative impacts of globalization focus
onthe destruction on the environment that is export-oriented. On the other hand, thepositive impacts
are the multinational companies research into technology that iseco-friendly and an increase in
environmental awareness. A major impact of globalization on the environment is that, there is
animprovement on the use of resources and the awareness of environment degradation.Due to
issues dealing with globalization, a lot of research is being carried out onprogressing greener
technology, which will replace current ones that harm theenvironment. Globalization has also helped
in the improvement of resources to savethe environment by the promotion of growth through
improvement of incomes andeducation. For example, the World Bank aided Mexico in reducing
unhealthy ozonedays during the 1990s. Moreover, multinational companies are on the
forefrontcreating technologies that will reduce their adverse effects on the environment. Forexample,
hybrid cars are being developed that will economize fuel, as well as, lower




Globalization is the process by which different societies, cultures, and regional economies integrate
through a worldwide network of political ideas through transportation, communication, and trade.
Generally, globalization has affected many nations in various ways; economically, politically, and
socially. It is a term that refers to the fast integration and interdependence of various nations, which
shapes the worldaffairs on a global level. Globalization has affected the products people consume,
theenvironment, culture, security, and idea exchange between different countries. Thereare many
factors that lead to the speedy globalization trends. This acceleration inglobalization can be attributed
to an increase in free-trade activities, emergingtechnologies, or the worldwide acceptance of markets.
Globalization has affected cultures and economies on matters dealing withenvironmental destruction
and availability of the already limited resources.Globalization has had diverse implications for
environmental issues such as, pollution, deforestation, water resources climate change, and biodiversity
loss.
Globalization essentially is the growth of an industry to a world wide scale. Globalization is seen in
several varying ways. Many tend to believe that expanding the political, economic, and cultural
spectrums of the world will essentially lead the masses in to an enlightened future. However, there are
many counter arguments that portray globalization as a greedy power hungry mechanism used to
exploit poor and undeveloped countries. The effects of globalization are both long term and lethal and
should be counteracted immediately.
Globalization is often seen as a way to expand cultural diversity. Over the years globalization has
become a sort of window in to other cultures by exchanging languages, food, and other traditions. By
expanding the cultural spectrum, Phillipe Legrain, declares, It spreads diversity, strengthening all
cultures (Globalization Benefits World Cultures 34). Movies, music, and art from other cultures are
now present in other societies that would have otherwise been ignorant to such customs. Hollywood for
example is a global industry with many foreign actors, directors, writers, and studios. On the downside
however, many unhealthy cultural exchanges are taking place as well, for example food companies like
McDonalds and KFC are leading the world into a new and obese era. (La Bella 53-65) Another, positive
aspect of globalization is the amount of flowing capital into developing countries. Expanding foreign
investments are in turn stimulating the economies of otherwise Developing countries developing
nations that participate in the global market place experience growth and prosperity claims Brett D.
Schaefer a representative of the Heritage Foundation (Globalization Helps Developing Nations 101).
Studies show that open markets and a liberal economic system provide the fastest increase in growth
and prosperity (102). Globalized countries showed a 5% income growth in 1990 The losers in the age of
globalization are the countries that refuse to embrace economic liberalization and the global market.
(103). Unfortunately, by expanding the global market, cheaper ways of making consumer goods like
sweatshops and outsourcing are now present in under developed countries.
Due to the expanding global system, unhealthy competitions in the work environment are
emerging. Many white collar workers from around the world are losing their jobs to cheaper labor forces
in foreign countries (The Future of Outsourcing par. 6) Along with the idea of labor exploitation, children
and prisoners are being forced to work in inhumane conditions in order to produce cheap consumer
products for other countries. Dr. Jody Heymann, professor at the Harvard School of Public Health
conducted a study that showed that thirty-five percent of all children affected by globalization suffer
from developmental or behavioral issues. (Globalization: Children par. 8) An increase in sweatshops
with awful working conditions have been observed all over the world as well, exposing entire families to
horrible working conditions while performing deadly tasks every day for low wages. As Radley Balko
states "In a village in the Mekong delta in Vietnam a woman and her twelve-year old daughter sit all day
in the shade from five in the morning until five in the evening making straw beach mats. For their labour
they receive $1 a day." (Balko par. 1)
The environment is directly affected by globalization, with increased industry and emissions. The
increase in global markets calls for the increase in global transportation which in turn increases the need
for fossil fuels for airplanes, cars, and ships. A dinner plate full of ingredients on the average American
table has travelled an estimated 1,500 miles before reaching its final destination (Issues in a Nutshell
par. 3). Bigger and better infrastructures are fantastic for big corporations but for the surrounding areas,
there is no hope. New pipelines, oilfields, seaports, airports, and highways all come with new
corporations. Larger corporations also take advantage of relaxed environmental laws in undeveloped
countries in order to save money on energy efficient alternatives. In the same sense natural resources
such as water are decreasing rapidly or being poisoned with emissions from large scale factories.
Deforestation on behalf of fast food industries are also creating huge environmental issues for the entire
world. Industrial agriculture is said to produce cheaper efficient foods however, these claims are not
true. Corporations often take small farms and make them commercial, expanding them into huge
industrial farms that eventually force small farmers and their families off their land and into crowded
cities. Mass farming also leads to depletion in soil nutrients and the microscopic life that benefits the
land. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations admits that the world
has already lost up to 75 percent of its crop diversity because of the globalization of industrialized
agriculture. (Globalization is Harmful to the Environment 89). Any emissions being released into the air
are making their way around the world while simultaneously causing climate change and melting ice
caps.
Culturally, globalization is a force to be reckoned with. A global identity is becoming more and
more evident with every new consumer product. Cities all over the world are beginning to look alike and
culture is losing its unique identity. Artisan have virtually wiped out by mass production. Traditional
cooking is being buried under fast food chains, traditional clothing is being replaced by mainstream
name brands, and local artisans have been wiped out by global names. Maude Barlow asserts that
Global cultural homogenization is sweeping the world. She also states that Many societies,
particularly indigenous peoples view culture as their richest heritage, without which they have no roots,
history or soul. (Globalization is Harms the Worlds Cultures 44).
Corporations are taking over the world in order to expand on their own greedy desires for
power and wealth. Exploiting the poor to pursue economic ventures should be cause enough to end
globalization and seek other more ethical ways to market and produce products. There is no fast or easy
way to end globalization because it has existed for centuries and has been solidified in many capitalistic
societies. Steps towards a brighter future for the entire world would involve holding major corporations
accountable. Instating international environmental laws would cut down on greenhouse emissions and
ensure toxins stayed away from water supplies. Globalization should be benefitting everyone involved
but it works to make the poor poorer and the rich richer. If globalization is not slowed down we could be
staring into a bleak future, improving the worlds current condition is the only option.