Introduction

What are the contemporary impacts of economic globalization on the environment?

From the International Space Station, the geographic changes made to this planet in the drive to industrialize and expand global trade are visible. The damage to the ozone layer, the reduction of the polar ice cap, and the spreading deforestation and desertification of the surface of the land are observable. Much of these geographic changes have happened in less than one hundred years. Many people believe the alarm has been sounded to face the global environmental crisis and resolve it before the prosperity of future generations is permanently compromised.

In Module 4 you explored understandings of quality of life, prosperity, and sustainability in a globalizing world. In this module you will continue your inquiry into the following related issue: To what extent does globalization contribute to sustainable prosperity for all people? In many worldviews the relationship to the land is critical to the quality of life, prosperity, and sustainability of people. Economic globalization since the end of World War II has accelerated the amount of resources consumed and the amount of waste generated. Western influence on land use and resource exploitation has impacted relationships with the land—especially Indigenous relationships.

At the end of this module you will use your understandings of the multiple perspectives and issues on globalization and  sustainability.  You will take a position on the extent that globalization should be embraced or resisted in order to sustain prosperity for all people.

Globalization and the Environment

In what ways does globalization impact the environment?

Consumers and Cellphones—In what ways does consumer demand for the latest in cellphone technologies impact the environment? The influence of contemporary globalization has led to concerns about the effects of economic globalization on the environment. There are diverse perspectives on whether stewardship is critical to preserving the environment and maintaining sustainable prosperity for future generations. In this section you will look at how globalization impacts the people, the land, and the environment. As an individual, what impact do you have on the environment? Explore the relationship between the consumer demand for cellphones and the sustainability of the environment. Notebook This is a required activity to support your inquiry but will not be graded. You will need the information for your next assignment.  In your Notebook, record key ideas from the inquiry.

Research

This is a required activity to support the inquiry but may not be graded by your teacher.

Research the life cycle of a cell phone to gather an informed background for your inquiry. The following sources may be helpful

• GLOBE-Net.com is a Canadian website that offers environmental information about cellphones. 
• The Life Cycle of a Cellphone - http://www.ehow.com/about_6172749_life-cycle-cell-phone.html 
• Plug into eCycling - http://www.epa.gov/osw/partnerships/plugin/
• Wirefly - The Life Cycle of a Cellphone - http://www.wirefly.com/learn/wireless_news/the-life-cycle-of-a-cell-phone/
• An example of an illustrated journey in pdf format - Click HERE. 
  

Research the following:

• Find out the types and locations of the resources used to manufacture cell phone? 
• How do many people dispose of their old cell phones? How many cell phones are disposed of by consumers?
• What are the impacts to the land, environment, your community, and the community that manufactures the cell phones?

Record your research in your Notebook.

Reflection

Please complete your Consumers and Cellphones  reflection at this time.

People, Land, and Globalization

Many urban communities in Alberta have experienced community growth in the last five years. In Edmonton the demand for new homes outside the downtown core and the influx of new residents have influenced how people see undeveloped land in the community. New suburbs now edge the McTaggart Sanctuary and the Whitemud Nature Reserve. The Pappaschase First Nation has a long historical connection to this part of South Edmonton. Their Supreme Court of Canada petition has declared that unfair treaty negotiations have broken their traditional relationship to this land. These areas are highly valued for their natural environment and wildlife —all within a busy city. Demand has grown for further development in this area. What areas are zoned as green spaces in your community? What impact would urban development have on these green spaces?

urban development: the process of a community or land transitioning from rural to urban

Research

Conduct an assessment for land use of a green space in your community.

Relationship to the Land

What is the relationship to the land? You will explore diverse relationships with the land.

Relationships with the Land

There are diverse relationships with the land. Describe the various perspectives and ways that people interact with the land, water, natural resources, climate, and wildlife. Work through the assigned activities to research the diverse perspectives on the relationship with the land and then complete the reflection.

Read

• The “Kimberley Declaration” was created in 2002 at a meeting of Indigenous representatives of the world in Kimberley, South Africa. Read it here.
• Look at Figure 13-4 on page 272 in Perspectives on Globalization.
• Read pages 3 and 4 of the Government of Alberta document “Understanding Land Use in Alberta.” You may find other parts of this document interesting.

Internet

The City of Edmonton website provides information about the municipal government’s perspectives on the environment. Go to the website and click on “Environment.” Browse the opening page and some of the topics shown in the menu.

The website for the David Suzuki Foundation provides perspectives on the relationship between people and the environment. Read David Suzuki’s statements about the relationship between people, food, water, and air in “Protecting Human Health.”

The European Union website features a video called 50 Years of Protecting Europe’s Environment. Watch the video below. 

The Wal-Mart website features videos related to sustainability. Click on the “Video Center” link under “Media Resources.” Use the Video Search tool to find Acres for America, Our Commitment. Watch the video to gather understandings Wal-Mart has about the relationship between people and the environment.

Internet Research

Research the relationship a resource extraction company, such as Syncrude, has with the land.

Reflection

 Relationships with the Environment Worksheet now. 

Stewardship

Explore 2

What is stewardship?

People also hold diverse understandings of stewardship. Most of the thinking about stewardship is usually centred on the responsible use of the environment. Responsible stewardship of the environment may also include maintaining the traditional knowledge of the land and considering alternative uses of the environment. Read Read about sustainability on pages 290 to 299 in Perspectives on Globalization. What understandings of stewardship are reflected in the strategies or actions for sustainability and prosperity?  Go to the Alberta Stewardship Network website and explore “About Us.” What is stewardship to members of this coalition? Record key ideas in your Notebook.

Multimedia

Go to the Alberta Stewardship Network website. Watch the video about the work of the stewardship coalition. What understandings of stewardship and relationship to the land does this organization promote? What message do the images convey about what this organization seeks to sustain? Record key ideas in your Notebook.

The Wal-Mart website features videos related to sustainability. Click on the “Video Center” link under “Media Resources.” Use the Video Search tool to find Sustainability: Global Overview. Watch the video to gather understandings Wal-Mart has of the relationship between people and the environment. Record key ideas in your Notebook.

The Vancouver 2010 website features a web page about sustainability. What are the perspectives on environmental stewardship of the land and resources used in the 2010 Olympics? Record key ideas in your Notebook.

The Land Stewardship Resource Centre has a website. What is land stewardship? You can find a basic working definition on the website under “Learning about Land Stewardship” listed in the left-hand menu. Record key ideas in your Notebook.

Go to the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers website. Click on “Environmental Stewardship” and read the information. What does stewardship mean for companies associated with the oil industry? Record key ideas in your Notebook.

Skownan – Our Land, Our Future is a video about the Skownan First Nation in Manitoba and their relationship to the land. It is available for viewing on the International Institute for Sustainable Development website. This 2000 project is available on the Appreciative Inquiry and Community Development web page under “Projects” and then “Northern Canada.”

What is stewardship to the people of the Skownan First Nation? Record key ideas in your Notebook.

(Caution: This video contains hunting scenes that may be disturbing.)

Assignment

Please complete the Stewardship Report Assignment at this point.

 Reflection

Do supporters of stewardship share common values and objectives? If yes, which values and objectives do they share? If no, what values and objectives do they differ on?

Actions and Policies

Which actions and policies impact the environment?

In April 2008 Syncrude, a company that extracts oil from the oil sands in northern Alberta, announced that 500 migratory birds died after landing in a Syncrude tailings pond.

A tailings pond holds the leftover metal dust from mineral extractions. A pond is created by covering the metal dust with water to prevent the dust from becoming airborne. This allows the metals to settle to the bottom of the pond.

Tailings ponds were never intended for use by wildlife or people. Covers and noise equipment to prevent wildlife from entering the ponds are typically used. Syncrude had not activated the noise equipment that would have deterred the migratory birds from landing in this particular tailings pond. Exposure to the toxic pond was fatal to nearly all the birds that landed. Wildlife organizations were able to rescue less than five birds.

Syncrude was criticized by many for failing to prevent this disaster. Beyond the failure to ensure safety, Syncrude was also condemned for supporting the business of tar sands extractions over environmental sustainability. A company apology to the public was featured in the media along with the commitment to do better next time.

What relationship did this environmental disaster have with globalization?

Reflection

Open here

Internet

Investigate the business of Syncrude. Go to the Syncrude website. Compare its stated vision and values and its current report on environmental stewardship and sustainability.

Globalization and The Environment

In what ways do actions and policies that support globalization affect the environment?

You will explore the immediate and visible impacts that actions and policies of governments and organizations have on the environment.

Read

Pages 272-284

• Read “How does globalization affect resource development?” on page 272 in Perspectives on Globalization.

• Read “Resource Development and the Oil Industry” on pages 273 to 275 in Perspectives on Globalization.

• Read “The Politics of Resource Development” on pages 276 to 278 in Perspectives on Globalization.
  
  
• Read “Resource Development Agreements and Environmental Legislation” on pages 279 
  to 284 in Perspectives on Globalization.

Assignment

Please complete the Globalization and the Environment Assignment at this time.

Environmental Sustainability Quiz

Complete the Environmental Sustainability Quiz (8 multiple choice questions)

What is the relationship between globalization, the environment, and sustainability?

There are views that globalization directly causes issues for the environment and threatens sustainability. Is this the only relationship between globalization and the environment? Is it possible that globalization could sustain a viable environment that would protect resources for future generations? Can you enjoy the benefits of economic globalization and do your part in sustaining the environment?

Gather details about the current ecoAUTO Rebate Program offered by the Government of Canada. This program is no longer available but write a summary of it.

Research

What guides your first new car purchase?

1. Identify the year, make, and model of the car you would purchase. The Internet has many car websites that can provide the information you need.

2. In your Notebook explain what guided your choice.

3. Post your comments on the discussion forum.

The Impacts of Countries on Environmental Sustainability

In what ways does globalization create issues for environmental sustainability?

Is environmental loss the price of globalization? Are developed countries sacrificing prosperity for all people in order to maintain economic systems of capitalism and free trade? Are less-developed countries limiting their own prosperity because of the inability to maintain environmental sustainability within their own borders? Damage to the land and water are the most visible signs of environmental loss. Severe weather is evidence of climate change. What else results from environmental loss?

environmental sustainability: the condition of maintaining the current state of the environment without further damage in the future

Read

Read “Food for All” on pages 305 and 306 in Perspectives on Globalization.

How does the globalization of agriculture create issues for environmental sustainability? Record your key ideas in your Notebook.

Research

Choose one developed country and one less-developed country. Research the information necessary to create a comparison between the two countries.

1. What ranks the country as a developed or a less-developed country?

2. What are indicators of the prosperity of each country? Keep in mind that prosperity includes aspects of life (both financial and other) that create satisfaction for the people of the country.

Record your key ideas in your Notebook.

Continue to research the selected countries.

1. What type of economy does each country have?
2. What is the Genuine Progress Index ranking of each country?
3. Research two key environmental issues for each country.

genuine progress index: an indicator of the sustainable prosperity of a country through the measure of the value of positive non-economic factors, such as volunteerism and education, against negative factors, such as pollution and crime

Assignment

Please complete The Impacts of Countries on Environmental Sustainability Forum Assignment at this point. You will need to have completed the above research to successfully complete this assignment. 

Globalization and Environmental Sustainability

What are the perspectives on the role of globalization in sustaining our environment?

In Explore 1 you may have found that opportunities of globalization may drive some people and countries to place economic success above the sustainability of the environment. Is this always the impact of globalization? Is it possible that globalization may aid in sustaining the environment?

Read

Read about the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) on page 307 in Perspectives on Globalization. How can globalization respond to issues of environmental sustainability? Record your key ideas in your Notebook.

Internet

Corporations are going green. The Hewlett-Packard (HP) Development Company is one example of a multinational corporation that is attempting to demonstrate a balance between economic benefits and environmental sustainability in a globalizing world. HP is in the business of digital technologies such as computers, cameras, and printers. The environment and Eco Solutions are now features of its business.

• Go to the HP website and click on “Company Information” and then “Environment.” Explore the “Eco Solutions” web page. View videos on HP’s participation in the environment and the World Wildlife Federation program on climate change.

Is it possible to be green and profitable? What effect do the manufacture, marketing, use, and disposal of digital technologies have on the environment? Record your key ideas in your Notebook.

• The Global Issues website features articles on sustainable development. Use the website search tool to locate “The Impact of Richer Nations on the Environment.” Find out what Vandana Shiva identifies as environmental impacts in the quote from Stolen Harvest. How has globalization impacted the environment? Record your key ideas in your Notebook.

• The Global Envision website features an article that explores whether there are environmental benefits to globalization. Use the website search tool to find the 2004 article entitled “The Environmental Benefits of Globalization.” Can globalization encourage environmental sustainability? Record your key ideas in your Notebook.

Research

Select one multinational corporation to research.

1. What is the environmental track record of this corporation?
2. What commitments to the environment has this corporation made?

Record your key ideas in your Notebook.

Assignment

Please complete the Globalization and Environmental Sustainability Assignment this time.

Extension

Indigenous groups have strongly called for involvement in identifying strategies for environmental sustainability. Research the Indigenous knowledge that may offer strategies to reverse the negative effects of economic globalization on the environment.

Summary and Youth Forum

This section introduced you to concepts of stewardship and environmental sustainability. For many, economic globalization is an inevitable part of contemporary life and a necessity for prosperity. A growing awareness of the legacies of economic globalization on the environment and the prosperity of future generations has created a call for action to prevent further environmental damage to the planet. There are diverse perspectives on whether globalization is the tool for creating change.

Embrace or Resist?

To what extent should globalization be embraced or resisted?

You have now completed the lessons in Module 5. Complete the section challenge activity to demonstrate the new understandings you have developed about globalization, environmental stewardship, and sustainability.

In this section challenge you will analyze the implications of economic globalization on the environment and sustainability. There are three graded activities in this section challenge.

Assignment

Please complete the Youth Forum Opening Statement Assignment at this time.

Take a look at the following video for a review: 

Video

Unit 5 Quiz

You have now completed the second module related to the inquiry into the extent that globalization contributes to sustainable prosperity for all people. The understandings you gathered in this unit are based on ways that contemporary economic globalization has a direct relationship with the environmental future of the planet and the prosperity of future generations. You had opportunities to analyze diverse perspectives on relationships to the land, stewardship, and the potentials and risks of economic globalization in sustaining prosperity for future generations. The Explores featured examples of how economic globalization impacts the environment and how individuals and governmental and non-governmental organizations propose to reverse the path towards the depletion of resources and permanent climate change.

Now, your last assignment to complete is your Module 5 Quiz. It consists of 50 multiple choice questions. Give yourself time to complete the quiz, I would suggest at least one hour of uninterrupted time. 

Quiz

Complete your Module 5 Quiz now.