Introduction Stewardship and Sustainability


To what extent does globalization contribute to sustainable prosperity for all people?

Perspectives on Globalization


To what extent does globalization affect sustainability?


Think about

The footprint left by human activity has been and still is enormous. No one lives without creating some kind of impact on the world, and the more people who live on our planet, the bigger that impact is. However, most of us want new cars, better televisions, more clothes, nicer homes, and money in the bank. Certainly, most people in the developing world want to experience the same material well-being that we have. In our drive for prosperity, how much economic growth can be sustained?



Source: Wikimedia Commons

We are drawn by desire—a chance at good living, yet we are consciously or unconsciously aware that the world is suffering for our success. Our dependence on nature to provide the materials for our consumption and our concern for the health of our planet sets us into an uneasy contradiction.

I think the environmental movement has failed in that it's used the stick too much; it's used the apocalyptic tone too much; it hasn't sold the positive aspects of being environmentally concerned and trying to pull us out.

Edward Burtynsky


Edward Burtynsky is one of Canada's most respected photographers. His photography deals with global industrial landscapes. Through his use of large-format color photographs, Burtynsky explores the impact of humanity's expanding footprint and how we are substantially reshaping the surface of the planet. As a result of his photo-graphical images, we are beginning to change the way we think about how we interact with the world and how we fit into it. His work has inspired others globally to consider and discuss sustainable living. Burtynsky has been named Officer of the Order of Canada, and in addition, he is the recipient of three honorary doctorates: Law from Queens University and Fine Arts in Photography Study from Ryerson University in Toronto; and Fine Arts from Montserrat College of Art in Boston. In 2005, he was awarded the esteemed TED Prize. The TED fellowship program brings together people who are considered world-changers and trailblazers who have displayed accomplishment and exceptional courage.

Recently, he proposed "The 10,000 Year Gallery", which would be used to house art that would be preserved for thousands of years to reflect the attitudes and changes of the world over time. When Burtynsky accepted his 2005 TED Award, he said that he would like to build a website that will help kids think about going green, this resulted in the creation of Meet the Greens ( www.meetthegreens.org) in 2007. Moreover, he wanted to simply encourage "a massive and productive worldwide conversation about sustainable living". Due in part to his help, the site WorldChanging.com has been able to grow into a leading voice for building sustainable communities.


The following is from Edward Burtynsky's presentation at TED conference.

In this unit, you will consider whether the activities of globalization can be sustained to produce prosperity for all people. Prosperity means various things to various people. You have considered the degree to which globalization contributes to that prosperity for all. Now, consider how sustainable that prosperity is. Sustainable prosperity is defined by WorldWatch Institute (www.worldwatch.org) in their "State of the World 2012" paper (Feb. 20, 2013) as the result of development that enables all human beings to live with their basic needs met, with their dignity acknowledged, and with abundant opportunity to pursue lives of satisfaction and happiness, all without denying others in the present and the future the ability to do the same.

Points to consider

  • There is inequality where resources are located.

  • There is inequality in the ability to generate income, and in the consumption of goods and services.

  • The production of goods and services require the consumption of energy.

  • The developed world has a greater ability to consume goods and services.