The Contemporary World (CONWORLD 103)

ECONOMIC GLOBALIZATION AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

There are some significant downsides to globalized trade and perhaps the strongest argument against
economic globalization is its lack of sustainability or the degree to which the earth’s resources can be used for our
needs, even in the future. Specifically, the development of our world today by using the earth’s resources and the
preservation of such sources for the future is called sustainable development. It is development that meets the needs
of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
In other words, development has to be ensured in and out for future generations. The continuous production
of the world’s natural resources, such as water and fossil fuel allows humanity to discover and innovate many things.
We were able to utilize energy, discover new technologies, and make advancements in transportation and
communication. However, these positive effects of development put our environment at a disadvantage. Climate
change. This means that development, although beneficial on the one hand, entails cost on the other.
Global food security means delivering sufficient food to the entire world population. It is, therefore, a priority
of all countries, whether developed or less developed. The security of food also means sustainability in society such
as population growth, climate change, water scarcity, and agriculture.
The following are some challenges to global food security; population growth, climate change, poverty and
inequality, food waste, limited resources.
But perhaps the closest aspect of human life associated with food security is the environment. A major
environmental problem is the destruction of natural habitats.
There are different models and agendas pushed by different organizations to address the issue of
global food security. One of this is through sustainability. The United Nations in 2015, adopted the SDGs which
represent a comprehensive framework for achieving sustainable development by 2030.
The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), also known as the Global Goals, were adopted by all
United Nations Member States in 2015 as a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that
all people enjoy peace and prosperity by 2030. They are interconnected – meaning that progress in one area will
affect outcomes in others, and development must balance social, economic, and environmental sustainability. Here is
a list of the 17 SDGs:
1. No Poverty: End poverty in all its forms everywhere
2. Zero Hunger: End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture
3. Good Health and Well-being: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.
4. Quality Education: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for
all.
5. Gender Equality: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.
6. Clean Water and Sanitation: Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.
7. Affordable and Clean Energy: Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all.
8. Decent Work and Economic Growth: Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and
productive employment and decent work for all.
9. Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure: Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable
industrialization and foster innovation.
10. Reduced Inequalities: Reduce inequality within and among countries.
11. Sustainable Cities and Communities: Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and
sustainable.
12. Responsible Consumption and Production: Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns.
13. Climate Action: Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.
14. Life Below Water: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable
development.
15. Life On Land: Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage
forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity losS.
16. Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions: Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development,
provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels.
17. Partnerships for the Goals: Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for
sustainable development.

ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION
Environmental degradation is the decay of the environment through the reduction of resources such as oil,
quality of air, and water. Some causes of environmental degradation are deforestation, overpopulation, pollution, and
natural causes. Some of its effects are ozone layer depletion, impact on human health, loss of biodiversity, and loss
of tourism industry. To resolve this:
-reduce consumption level
-stop deforestation
-reuse and reduce waste generation
-avoid plastic
-government strict regulation
- fine and punishment for illegal dumping
- education
Development, especially economic development, was hastened by the Industrial Revolution. This is the
period in human history that made possible the cycle of efficiency. Efficiency means finding the quickest possible way
of producing large amounts of a particular product. This process made buying goods easier for the people. Then,
there is an increased demand. Ultimately, there was increased efficiency. This cycle harms the planet in several
ways. For instance, the earth’s atmosphere is damaged by more carbon emissions from factories around the world.
Another example is the destruction of coral reefs and marine biodiversity as more and more wastes are thrown into
the ocean. Many experts do not think that the planet can sustain a growing global economy. Deforestation, pollution,
and climate change will not adjust for us, especially if increases in living standards lead people to demand more
consumer goods like cars, meat, and smartphones.

Definition of Terms:
Deforestation- the cutting down of trees in a large area, or the destruction of forest by people. The loss of trees can
cause climate change, soil erosion, fewer crops, flooding, increased greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, etc.
Pollution- is the introduction of harmful materials into the environment. These harmful materials are called pollutants.
Pollutants can be natural such as volcanic ash. They can also be created by human activity, such as trash or runoff
produced by factories. Pollutants damage the quality of air, water, and land.
Climate change- refers to long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns. As greenhouse gas emissions
blanker the earth, they trap the sun’s heat. This leads to global warming and climate change. The world is now
warming faster than at any point in recorded history. Warmer temperatures over time are changing weather patterns
and disrupting the usual balance of nature.
Ozone layer depletion- occurs when certain chemicals, known as ozone-depleting substance (ODS) are released into
then athmosphere. Once in the strathosphere, ODSs break down ozone molecules, reducing the ozone’s layer ability
to absorb UV radiation. It allows more harmful radiation to reach the Earth’s surface, increasing the risk of skin
cancer and other health problems. It can also damage plants and marine life.

GLOBAL INEQUALITIES AND POVERTY

Inequality- differences among people in their command over social and economic resources.
Poverty- is said to exist when people lack the means to satisfy their basic needs.
Some countries are economically mature and more powerful than other countries and end up becoming
influential in the global community. This leads to a condition of global inequality where developing countries end up
being controlled and influenced by developed countries.
Developing countries- refer to a nation with a less developed industrial base and a sovereign state with less human
development indicator (HDI) than other developed countries. Human Development Indicator (HDI)- is a way to
measure how well people are living in different countries. It looks at things like how long people live, how educated
they are, and how much money they have. (Life expectancy, education, and purchasing power parity of a certain
country).
A developed country- also called an industrialized country- has a mature and sophisticated economy. Developed
countries have advanced technological infrastructure and diverse industrial and service sectors.
Inequality can also be an outcome of the relative strength of a state as compared with another in terms of
strategic importance or development assistance. Countries with many resources tend to have more power. Countries
that send official development assistance (ODA) in the form of loans and grants are in the position to dictate their
policy conditions. Official Development Assistance (ODA) is an international financing development, particularly for
the poorest countries.
Aside from that, military strength is also a source of inequality where countries with superior military
competence can bully the weaker ones, just in the issue of the West Philippine Sea between China and the
Philippines.
Global inequality can also be manifested through transnational business corporations and organizations
that operate globally. These private corporations have enormous power to influence the economy of the countries
where they have investments. It sets up manufacturing factories in developing countries as land is cheaper there. For
example McDonald's in Kazan Russia and Coca-Cola in Kabul Afghanistan.