Impact of Globalization

Introduction				and extinction of resources and shift of manpower
The present era is said to be an age of globalization.				from less developed to more developed geographical
Globalization is a broad term and encompasses varied				area. Growing demands have also made people to
perspectives. It refers to the global outlook of				grow rich by adopting unfair means leading to
different nations of the world coming closer and				dissolution of families and communities, health and
joining hands in terms of economy, education, society				also in education. This has given rise to regional wars
and politics. Globalization empowers a view for the				and international terrorism, crippling and self-criticism
entire world as a whole irrespective of the national				(Ehrenfeld, 2003).
identity and thus globalization has narrowed the world				Spiritual Disruption
by bringing people of all nations closer (What is				The world is becoming materialistic and hence
globalization?).				humane of human spirits is lost causing loss of
Enabling people of one nation to communicate with				environmental wisdoms (Ehrenfeld, 2003).
those of the other nation(s) is the biggest				Globalization has also revolutionized Plastic Industry: its
achievement in terms of globalization and				repercussions on Environment
development. The culture, trade, business, ethics and				The advent of plastic has revolutionized the
conduct of one group in one part of the world can				packaging industries. It is becoming the major toxic
influence others may or may not be of same nation.				pollutants of the present era. It has the potential to
It is irrespective of the time and space and language				pollute nature and all the natural resources including
bindings as these communications are in terms of				air, water and soil. It is a non-biodegradable product
trade, social internet forums. The process of				causing grave damage to our natural environment
globalization is therefore, an amalgamation of				(Plastic Problems). Globalization encourages the
interaction and integration among different groups of				distribution of goods from one part of the globe to
people, various organizations and governments of				another and this requires appropriate packaging to
different nations. This communication is supported by				keep the products protected and in perfect
information technology (What is globalization?). The				consistency, discovery of plastic and its products has
interaction not only influences people and their				turned out to be a boon for pushing the globalization
welfare in terms of civilization, traditions, political				to its present form. The economic traders have
structure, financial growth and affluences but also				given a least ear to this noxious substance which is
affects the environment as a whole (What is				now becoming a choking hazard of drainages and
globalization?).				pipelines of the streets. This is a serious
Gradually globalization has defined its terminologies in				environmental concern as it leads to the situation of
all aspects of human civilization by making the				over flooded roads with water may it be rain water
countries formulate to the policies for open				or else it is coming through the choked water pipeline.
economies both, domestically and internationally				It causes serious traffic jams over the roads when
(What is globalization?). With the implementation of				the roads are flooded with water moreover; choked
free market economic systems, path is paved for				drains provide tremendous breeding grounds for
mounting their own industrious potentials and creating				disease-causing mosquitoes (Plastic Problems).
multitude openings for international trade and				Altered Genetic Makeup and Mutation
investment. This served as an opportunity for the				Due to globalization, and industrialization, various
foreign markets, factories, production and marketing				effluents are released in the atmosphere altering the
measures with people belonging to different parts of				proportion of natural gases. It is evident that these
the world (What is globalization?).				gases are harmful to the inhabitants of the area.
The view about globalization emerged as-				Some of these gases are capable of altering the
1. Economic Integration through trade, investment				genetic makeup of the plants, animals and humans
and capital flows				living in that area. Apart from these gases there are
2. Political Interaction				certain effluents which are thrown out in the soil or in
3. Information and Information Technology (IT)				the nearest water body with a thought that they will
4. Culture				be diluted, but these chemicals are so very harmful
These are the various magnitudes of globalization				that even their parts per million (ppm) concentrations
affecting the natural, local, national and finally the				could result in serious diseases which are beyond any
global environment. It directly influences human				treatment and cure. Consumption of polluted water is
development (Panayotou, 2000). An outline is drawn				highly unsafe. The disease called minimata is the result
to study the globalization and the environment				of mercury poisoning in the similar manner various
encompassing economic proportions of trade,				pesticides, chemicals and particulates are thrown in
investment and capital flows (Panayotou, 2000).				the water body may lead to blindness, cancer,
It is evident that regardless of its mounting strength,				paralysis and if consumed by a pregnant women then
the side-effects of globalization and economic trends				it results in malformation of child or leads to diseases
are inadequately understood as these effects are not				like spina bifida or teratogenesis (Blackburn, 2007).
straight but are indirect. The growing concern for the				These chemicals are known to affect the DNA of
environment and its protection has given least				the living beings may it be plants, animals or humans.
emphasis on the prevalence of inexorable globalization				Nuclear Advances
(Ehrenfeld, 2003). Globalization is multiplying with such				The advances in nuclear technology and establishing
a rapid pace that its consequences are being				nuclear reactors to meet the growing demands of
experienced by the smallest and secluded				electricity are causing a serious damage to the soil of
communities and natural areas may it be a developed				the area. Nuclear substances are very harmful and
or an undeveloped nation. It is evident that despite				directly affect the physiology of the organisms.
its insightful impact on the environment, globalization				Altered physiology leads to the changes in the
is going to have its say (Ehrenfeld, 2003). The				genetic makeup and hence expression of gene is
present article therefore signifies the impact of				affected causing genetic damage, incorrect synthesis
globalization on the environment as a whole may it be				of protein and hence incorrect enzymes. Together it
natural, social, local, national and lastly global.				culminates to make any inhabitant a serious victim of
Globalization has tremendously affected world in				any kind of disease (Lewin, IX edn.)
various different aspects				War, Threats and Accidents
1. Industrial- it has provided the surface to the				In the haste to empower the nations with arms and
production market with an enhanced access to a				ammunitions, the government bodies are purchasing
wide variety of foreign products and therefore				and developing nuclear weapons. When these
globalization has increased large number of customers				weapons are tested for their efficiency then it
for itself. This has helped in the movement of goods				results in the total damage of the area both in terms
and materials between and within the national				of vegetation and animals. It is a great concern for
boundaries.				environment as we have not forgotten the
2. Financial- Globalization has opened the way to				happening of Hiroshima and Nagasaki bomb blast of
procure external financing opportunities to the				1945. Inhabitants are still facing the repercussions as
borrowers.				the environment is still having the nuclear active
3. Economic- the freedom of exchange of goods and				particulates causing serious health problems. It must
capitals tells us that the markets are interrelated and				be taken into concern that these elements have
any kind of economic collapse in one country could				huge half life interval and can survive in their active
be manged by others.				form for long.
4. Political- the United States has come up with the
supreme power in the era of globalization as it has				Conclusion
strong and wealthy economy. Also in the recent				Globalization has brought a tremendous impact upon
decade the People’s Republic of China has skilled				human civilization. The strategies to cope with the
with great economic growth.				globalization are not sufficient to revolutionize
5. Informational- flow of information from one part of				anti-globalization approach. The technological advances
the globe to another and even to the remote				not only incur deterioration of physical environment
locations, through satellites, wireless communication or				by enhancing the percentage of carbon-di-oxide,
through internet.				changes in temperature of the local area but it has
6. Competition- globalization has given birth to				given a deep impact to the environment of nations
tremendous competition and has made the market				also. Global warming is the combined effect of
an open place to excel with skills and quality.				contribution made by different nations towards
7. Ecological- the most neglected part after				globalization. The consequences of global warming are
globalization; it is inadequately affected because of				devastating causing not only changes in temperature
the climate changes that are occurring due to				but also melting of permafrost and oxidation boreal
pollution made by the industrial set up. The areas				peat deposits, changes in the allocation and profusion
around the industries are becoming slums and the				of rainfall and storm measures, rise in sea level,
waste released from the industries is affecting the				depletion of ozone layer. Ozone layer is the
flora and fauna of the domain. It is forcing the				protective shield of our environment. It protects the
inhabitants to inhale polluted and obnoxious air which				Earth from harmful UV radiations. These radiations
not only contains high of carbon-di-oxide but also				are hazardous and results in gene mutation altering
contains methane, halogen gases and various other				the genetic makeup of the organism. Holes in the
particulates responsible for altering the physiology of				ozone layer are an open invitation to all kinds of
the inhabitants. Altered physiology becomes the				genetic alteration which can prove disastrous.
leading cause of ill-health causing hypertension,				Globalization has also affected the survival pattern of
diabetes and may lead to cancer can be as lethal to				various flora and fauna. A particular geographical area
generate neonatal teratogenesis.				is recognized by the distribution of its flora and fauna
8. Cultural- Cross-cultural contacts are the result of				patterns but disruption of vegetation for
globalization. It has generated better understanding				industrialization is not only extending loss of plant
towards cultural diversity and has promoted travels				species, herbal or any useful varieties but also causing
and tourism to understand each other to a greater				loss of various animal species. Pollution of any kind
extent. This has enhanced greater consumer				may it be air, water or soil has impact on the genetic
products at the same time it has generated a				makeup of the individuals. Altered genes not only lead
pseudo-cultural patterns.				to altered physiology of the organism but also
9. Social- due to globalization the social network of				produce altered enzymes causing devastating effects
people is widening and people are able to understand				on the individuals. These altered enzymes are
each other in a better way howsoever distant				responsible for various kinds of diseases such as
geographically they may be.				Alzheimer’s, brain dysfunction. When the polluted
10. Technical- Any kind of technological advances can				water is consumed by a pregnant female may be
be communicated to other parts of the world and				animal or human then it directly affects the fetus and
thus feedback to further enhance it can be procured.				affects the development of the neonate. Polluted
11. Legal or Ethical- the guidelines are laid down for				water and air may lead to inhalation and consumption
any kind of legal issues; international criminal court and				of some carcinogenic particulates which are
international justice movements (Nijam, A., Runnalls,				responsible for the cancer, paralysis, cerebral palsy.
D., Halle, M., 2007)				Children consuming polluted water show mental
Effects of Globalization on our Environment				retardation, stunted growth, physical weakness, poor
Reduced Genetic Diversity in Agriculture- a cutback is				mental development. Moreover, soil of the industrial
observed in genetic diversity in the field of agriculture.				area becomes less productive or unfertile making the
It was recognized that loss of non-hybrid germplasm				land barren. The particulates thrown or dumped in the
has taken place for vegetables, grains and tree crops				soil reacts with the natural mineral composition of the
because of the arrival of new commercial varieties of				soil and deteriorates that quality of the soil. The
seeds. This has affected the local farmers to				crops grown in polluted soil are becoming the source
plummet the affluence of existing varieties to				of high mineral intake, along with vegetable and fruits
promote new and commercial ‘high yielding”				various kinds of pesticides are also consumed leading
seeds (Ramprasad, 2002). In the similar manner				to bioaccumulation of these dangerous chemicals.
globalization has affected wild varieties also. The wild				Consumption of animals for food and meat also leads
varieties are known for its gene pool for disease				to bioaccumulation of these pesticides. The sea food
resistance and various environmental adaptations and				is still more dangerous. With the globalization the food
also for its food value. Due to globalization,				items are sent in the processed form to various
development, logging and conversion of marginal lands				geographical areas which may vary in temperature
for enhancing production the local agriculture				conditions. This not only allows the growth of harmful
environment is badly affected (Ehrenfeld, 2003).				microbes but also deteriorates the quality. To
This has also affected the livestock breeds pushing				overcome this situation preservatives are being
them towards the extinction (Hall and Ruane, 1993).				added but still it is another chemical!
It is also manifested that globalization has paved the				Genetic breeding of animals and plants are being
way for the loss of particular domestic livestock.				performed to produce a high yielding varieties this
Aristide, (2000) has focused on the kill of local				tendency has lost the wild species. The genetically
Haiti’s Creole pigs, requiring very low				altered animals or the transgenic animals and plants
maintenance in order to replace them with pigs from				are more prone to diseases than their wild
Iowa (USA) to promote the success of the project;				counterparts. In order to have high milk production
but the project failed.				and to meet the growing demands of milk and milk
There are many projects which are formulated in				products transgenic cattle are preferred over wild
each and every field of human endeavor for the				animals. Globalization is at one time imposing the
promotion of globalization but only a few attains				nations also to import high yielding cattle to meet the
success, incurring tremendous loss of natural				growing demands. This is replacing the original fauna
resources, vegetation and harm to the natural				of the domain with the imported ones. It is
environment.				sometimes dangerous as the animals are being reared
Loss of wild species: it’s a common observation				under particular conditions and to provide them with
that most of the wild varieties are facing danger of				the same conditions at other geographical area costs
extinction due to global trade, global extension and				a big amount. It leads to installation of machineries
with approaching new technologies and to meet the				and temperature controlling devices to procure the
arising demands. The natural areas are rapidly turning				desired yield. On the other hand these wild varieties
to concrete plantation, to enhance production, building				are left out of home and then they become nuisance
road, dams, mining, power plants, causing loss of				for the other social setups.
species which were known to be the natives of that				The plastic although is becoming the part and parcel
geographical domain. This is further contributed by				of our lives is the biggest pollutant of the present
the drastically growing human population (Ehrenfeld,				century. It is causing choking hazard as it is
2002). These are the direct implication on the				non-degradable material. The packaging industry is
livestock but other indirect impacts encompass,				thriving on this benefit but a concern to the
pollution from production agriculture, vehicles coming				environment is least.
to the area, additional requirement of electricity,				With the advances in technology, computerization of
waste from nuclear plants causing changes in the local				equipments and automation, more unemployment is
climate due to liberation of various chemicals from				taking a toll causing communal disempowerment and
industrial set up also liberation of toxic wastes, gases				also cultural and moral impoverishment leading to
like carbon-di-oxide, methane, fluorocarbons drastically				corruption, adapting fallacies, aggression, stress,
affect the local natural environment. Development of				hypertension and various health related
ecotourism-based industries and also the escalating				consequences. Globalization has shown its impact in
demands and cut-throat competition to capture the				narrowing the world by bringing nations on a single
market has lead to the loss of wild life (Ehrenfeld,				platform but this platform in true sense has not only
2003). It is evident that with the onset of				widen the gap between the nations but also has
globalization, the wild- life human contact is becoming				brought sufferings to the poor. The hygiene around
the source of various new diseases; one of the				the industries is a matter of much concern as the
biggest e.g. is of HIV and out breaks of				water body of this area contains all the effluents
Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Alexander, 2002).				emitted from the industries as a waste product. This
Environmental Costs of Globalization				waste product is either thrown out in the air or is
This encompasses the deterioration of the quality of				flown in the water and rarely buried in the soil,
natural resources including- water, air and soil. It is				making the inhabitants to suffer from all kinds of
also causing depletion of natural resources both				danger.
renewable and non-renewable resources. Pollution of				The developing nations must also check a control
the environment is attributed to the increase in				over the population. If people are less than the
industries, burning of fossil fuels to run the industries,				demands will also be less and hence more vegetation,
machines and for transport of both raw and finished				forests and animals will be protected from damage.
products to different places. The protective and				Plantation must be promoted to protect
custom laws re also regulating the environment,				deforestation. Deforestation is a grave situation and
contributing to the impact of globalization. According				is serving as a beginning of calamity. It is
to Yu et al (2002) “A country importing dirty				deforestation and destruction of forests and its
products essentially leaks its pollution to exporting				inhabitants that forecast the changes in climate of
countries that have less strict standards.’ Also,				that area. If this is prevented then many coming
“ the conflict between trade and environment				calamities can also be prevented.
arises because countries with weak property rights				The question arises where are we heading with this
appear to be more productive even when they are				pace? We are really progressing ahead in life or
not, and export their natural resources				digging grave for our own destruction? Are we
unsustainably.’ The economists running World				heading towards sustainable development or we are
Trade Organization (WTO) show problems in running				just waiting for the ecosystem to collapse? It is
General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT),				therefore essential that this alarming situation must
which is made to safeguard exhaustible natural				be given a serious concern and nations should join
resources and protect human, animal or plant life or				hands once again not only for economic trade and
health (Yu et al, 2002).				globalization but for the sake of protecting our planet
It was further emphasized that scientist must come				and whatever natural environment we have must be
forward to pressure the considerations of the WTO				protected for our survival.
by affording definite scientific evidence of				It is therefore a serious predicament that one must
environmental harm.				take a deep concern about the environment in all
One of the other consequences of globalization is the				aspects of lives. Our natural environment is the sole
transport of heavy, minimally processed food				of our survival and we must protect the same in
products are made available in excess to the area				order to live. We cannot ignore our environment and
where they were already available. This not only puts				leave everything for tomorrow. Serious steps to
pressure on the local manufacturers but also				minimize the use of harmful entities must begin from
pressurize their psychology to produce more				now to protect our local, national and global
products to cope with the competition (Yu, 2002).				environment.
Social Disruption				We do need a futuristic approach to deal with the
Globalization is extending the gap between the rich				issues raised in the present article to procure some
and poor communities and also between the nations				natural environment for healthy living.
causing regional insecurity and a fear of exhaustion

Dantb

Impact of Globalization