Globalization

GLOBAL INTEGRATION: ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES

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 world affairs on a global level. Globalization has affected the products people consume, the environment, culture, security, and idea exchange between different countries. There are many factors that lead to the speedy globalization trends. This acceleration in globalization can be attributed to an increase in free-trade activities, emerging technologies, or the worldwide acceptance of markets.

Globalization has affected cultures and economies on matters dealing with environmental 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. The rampant environmental problems have become the subject of international efforts because the effects are felt globally. The negative impacts of globalization focus on the destruction on the environment that is export-oriented. On the other hand, the positive impacts are the multinational companies' research into technology that is eco-friendly and an increase in environmental awareness.

A major impact of globalization on the environment is that, there is an improvement 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 on progressing greener technology, which will replace current ones that harm the environment. Globalization has also helped in the improvement of resources to save the environment by the promotion of growth through improvement of incomes and education. For example, the World Bank aided Mexico in reducing unhealthy ozone days during the 1990s. Moreover, multinational companies are on the forefront creating technologies that will reduce their adverse effects on the environment. For example, hybrid cars are being developed that will economize fuel, as well as, lower gaseous emissions to the environment. Apple is also aim at manufacturing products that are eco-friendly.

Unfortunately, the negative impacts of globalization have outweighed the positive effects. On a global level, natural resources are being overused. This is because there has been a rise in demand and ecosystem removal, as a result of population growth. The need for disposable products has caused logging to be on the increase, which result into extensive deforestation. About half of the indigenous forests that covered the earth in the past have been depleted. Deforestation is on the increase year by year. Moreover, over-fishing is also becoming a global problem. A study by the United Nations reveals that commercial species of fish have been over-exploited.

Globalization has also affected negatively the environment through global warming. This is as a result of greenhouse gas emissions caused by rapid industrialization in the developing world, and a heavy dependence on fossil fuels. The average global temperatures have increased tremendously over the past years. In addition, the transport sector and gases from factories have immensely contributed to global warming.

Globalization has been a scientific debate concerning structural change in the earth's ecology; it has in the past become a controversy. There has been linkage between environmental decay, trade and support, government, and globalization. Activities that are required for industry and trade use a lot of energy resources. The misuse of these resources causes air pollution, acid rain or global warming.

Globalization affects education in that, the direction and objectives that education had previously, has to change. The idea that education is a public service has to be abandoned. It has been replaced with the idea that education is at the service of economies; that is as a personal investment. International organizations have increasingly become involved with the educational sector. Recently, the World Trade Organizations and the World Bank have proposed the privatization of this sector. These policies aim at adapting the contents of education globally to the needs of employment. They also aim at creating an education system that is efficient and profitable.

There has been a massive spread in education at all levels. The consequences of schools that are widely available are as a result of the globalization process. As part and parcel of globalization, education is seen as a factor that contributes a lot to democracy on a global level. The different forces that affect globalization have tremendously

...