Reader Response (The Double Edge of Globalization

    In Nayan Chanda’s article, “The Double Edge of Globalization”, he identifies that globalisation has led to an increase in trading across the globe; however, it has also result in environmental issues and depletion of natural resources.

    In today’s world, globalisation has undeniably led to many environmental problems; nevertheless, the social issues that globalisation causes cannot be ignored. Chanda criticises globalisation for giving rise to the three main issues that people concern about: deforestation, pollution, and global warming. However, it must not be neglected that at the same time, globalisation has also been penalised for a widening social inequality within and among nations, and a loss of local traditions. 

    As stated in Kohut and Wike’s article, “Assessing Globalisation Benefits and Drawbacks of Trade and Integration”, “the growing gap between rich and poor” has resulted in undesirable social issues, such as increasing resentment towards the rich and growing burden of the government to look after the poor.
    Moreover, Kraidy’s article, “Globalisation of Culture Through the Media”, states that an over flow of Western cultures, especially America’s culture, has brought about the loss and deterioration of local cultures among youngsters who favour Western cultures over local cultures. The embracing of pop music, Hollywood movies, and fast food has indisputably led to the decline of local cultures and traditions.
    In conclusion, after evaluating Chanda’s view on how globalisation has led to environmental destruction and Kohut, Wike and Kraidy’s articles which emphasise on social issues resulting from globalisation, the loss of “localness” and the widen gap between the wealthy and the poor are as important as, or even more such, than environmental consequences.

Summary of The Double Edge of Globalization (final)

Globalisation has led to an increase in trading across the globe; however, it has also result in the depletion of natural resources, as well as, environmental issues.  There is no concrete evidence to show that the investment of transnational companies in countries where law enforcement is ineffective brings about environmental issues; nevertheless, it is undeniable that logging and deforestation contribute to one-fifth of worldwide carbon emissions. In the closely connected world today, China’s combustion of fossil fuels, and excessive use of chemicals not only pollutes its own soil, water and air, but it also causes worldwide problems when they are being soaked up in the air, causing acid rain globally. Moreover, globalisation gives rise to global warming, which is reducing the global economy to one-fifth of its current size, as well as creating damage that is comparable to the World Wars and the Great Depression. Although nations are reducing deforestation and efforts are being made to increase public consciousness, USA’s refusal to sign the Kyoto Protocol shows that reluctance and a lack of obligation are the main factors as to why globalisation is a constant threat in the modern world.

Summary - The Double Edge of Globalization

Globalization has led to an increase in trading across the globe; however, it also results in the depletion of natural resources, as well as, environmental issues.  There is no concrete evidence to show that the investment of transnational companies in countries where law enforcement are ineffective brings about environmental issues; nevertheless, it is undeniable that logging and deforestation contributed to one-fifth of worldwide carbon emissions. In the closely connected world today, China’s combustion of fossil fuels, and excessive use of chemicals not only pollutes its own soil, water and air; these pollutants causes worldwide problems when they are being soaked up in the air, causing acid rain globally. Moreover, globalization gives rise to global warming, which leads to the reduction of global economy to one-fifth of its current size, as well as creates damages that are comparable to those of the World Wars and the Great Depression. Although nations are reducing the destruction towards deforestation, and efforts are being made to increase public consciousness; USA’s refusal to sign the Kyoto Protocol shows that reluctance and a lack of obligation is the main factors as to why globalization is a constant threat in the modern world.

ES1102 Scary Oil Summary Exercise

A further increase in oil prices is the most serious threat faced by modern economy. Fear of military crisis between Israel and Iran has lead to a 25% soar in oil prices, which resulted in global recessions. Iran's attacks on Israel embassies has not only lead USA to step up on military measures against Iran, but also to forbid Iran's advancement in nuclear weapon