Is globalization sustainable in the context of climate change?

Globalization has often been defined as the process of making countries more connected
through trade, communication, and people’s movement (Giddens, 1990). Climate change is a
big problem for the world right now. It causes things like rising global temperature, stronger
storms, and damage to the environment. This raises an important question: can globalization
go on in a way that protect the planet, or will it only make climate change worse?

One perspective is that globalization can help by spreading clean technologies. However, the
counter perspective claims that people say it makes pollution worse. This essay will look at
this argument from both of these perspective through three themes in this essay : the effect of
globalization on the environment, the problem of inequality and climate justice, and the
importance of working together across borders.
Environment:

In a source from International Energy Agency (IEA, 2021), they show that globalization is
helping the world fight climate change. The report explains that China now produces over
70% of the world's solar panels, and because of global trade these panels are cheaper and
available to many countries. First, the IEA shows that this global supply chain makes it
possible for devolving nations to use renewable energy at lower costs. Secondly, it adds that
solar power needs to increase 20 times between 2020 and 2050 for the world to reach net
zero, and globalization makes this growth more realistic. Thirdly, the IEA highlights that
international finance must rise to around 4 trillion US dollars a year by 2030 to support clean
energy, something that depends on global investment flows. This global evidence suggests
that globalization, when used to spread technology and finance, can be a positive force for
the environment.

Source evaluation:
One source I used is the International Energy Agency (IEA, 2021). I feel this is credible
because it uses detailed global energy data to back up its points. This makes it trustworthy
since the IEA is a global organization that gathers statistics from many countries and energy
companies. This means that its numbers are not based on opinion but on actual evidence. For
example, its figure on how solar powered must grow 20 times by 2050 come from long-term
modeling of energy use. This data-driven approach makes the source reliable for showing
how globalization spreads clean energy.

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP, 2022) also support the idea that
globalization can help the environment by spreading solutions. The UNEP report explains
that the cost of renewable energy, especially solar and wind, has fallen by more than 80% in
the last decade because of global supply chain and international trade. First, the report shows
that cheaper clean energy is not only good for rich nations but also makes it easier for poorer
countries to switch away from fossil fuels. Secondly, it highlights that cooperation between
government and companies across borders is speeding up the development of new
technologies, such as electric vehicles and battery storage. When this is linked to the IEA
(2021), it becomes clear that both sources agree globalization reduces costs and spreads
technology widely. The IEA adds more details by showing that solar capacity must grow 20
times by 2050 and global investment must reach 4 trillion dollars a year. Together, these
sources suggest that globalization, when directed at clean energy, is one of the strongest tools
for making climate change solutions possible.

Evaluation of source:

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP, 2022) is credible because it is

produced by an international body that includes almost every country in the world. This adds
great weight to its authority, since the report is based on expert panels. It also uses and
reviews report from many governments and scientist, not just one group. For example, it's
warning that current pledges will lead to 2.5ْ C of warming is based on combined national
data, which shows the global picture clearly.

However, a contrasting perspective holds that globalization can also hurt the environment. In
a source from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC, 2022) they point out
the fact that ships and panels used for trade already cause more than 5% of the world’s
greenhouse gas emissions. As trade grows, this will only get worse, damaging the
environment. Secondly, the report also goes on to say that many companies move their
factories to countries with weaker environmental regulations. The impact of this is that they
can pollute more without being stopped. The source also shows how people are also pushed
to buy more cheap goods, like fast fashion and electronics. This creates a lot of waste and
uses up more natural resources.

The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD, 2021) also warns
that globalization can increase pollution. The report explains that international shipping alone
produces around 940 million tonnes of CO2 every year. This is almost 3% of all global
emissions, and the number is rising as more goods are traded. UNCTAD also says that most
ships use heavy fuel oil, which is one of the dirtiest types of fuel. This creates not only
greenhouse gases but also sulphur and black carbon, which harms human health and the
oceans. Another point the report makes is that shipping routes often go through areas where
small island states live. These countries, such as those in the Pacific, are among the most at
risk from rising sea levels caused by climate change. In this way, the UNCTAD report agrees
with the IPCC (2022), which also showed that trade and transport are major drives of
emissions. Both sources make it clear that globalization often adds to climate change.
Inequality:

Another perspective is that globalization reduces inequality while at the same time fighting
inequality. The World Bank (2020) explains this by showing that trade and investment allow
poorer countries to get access to technology and money they cannot produce on their own. In
Kenya, international banks and companies have funded solar power projects that bring clean
energy to many homes for the first time. In Ethiopia and Bangladesh, global investment has
supported new industries that also help these countries take part in the green economy. The
report also says that climate funds, such as the Green Climate Funds, give billions of dollars
to help vulnerable nations adapt to climate change. This is very important for small island
countries in the Pacific and Caribbean, which face rising sea levels. Another benefit is that
skills and knowledge can move across borders, so countries like Vietnam have learned from
global trade and started to move towards cleaner production. These examples shows that
globalization can help reduce unfair gaps by giving developing countries more tools to deal
with climate change.

Source evaluation:

The World Bank (2020) is credible because it has direct experience with funding and trade
projects in many developing countries. This gives it first-hand evidence about how
globalization affects poorer nations. For example, it reports on renewable energy projects in
countries like Kenya and Ethiopia, based on projects it had helped finance. This makes the
source reliable because it is not only talking in theory but also using information from real
development work. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP, 2021) also shows
that globalization can make climate action fairer. The report says that global trade and
finance have helped bring renewable energy to poorer regions in Africa and Asia. In Rwanda
and Nepal, UNDP projects have used international money to build small solar grids in
villages. These villages never had electricity before, so the project cut emissions and also
improve people’s lives. The report also explain that global networks give poorer countries a
voice in climate talks. This means they can ask for more support and are not left out of the
debate. When we put this together with the World Bank (2020), we see the same message:
globalization can give developing countries the tools and the power to fight climate change.

International cooperation:

From the perspective of international cooperation, globalization does not look sustainable.
The United Nations Enviroment Programme (UNEP,2022) explains that even with global
meetings like the Paris Agreement, most countries are still failing to cut their emissions
enough. The report warns that if current promises continue, the world will warm by around
2.5ْ C this century, which is far above the safe limit of 1.5ْ C. This shows that global
cooperation, which is a key part of globalization, is too weak to deal with climate change
properly. Countries still put their own economic growth and trade first, even when they agree
on climate goals. Because of this, it is hard to say that globalization is sustainable in the
context of climate change, since the system of cooperation has not been strong enough to
protect the planet.

Agreeing with this view is a source from the International Institute for Environment and
Development (IIED, 2021). This source also argues that global cooperation through
globalization has not been strong enough to deal with climate change. The IIED explains that
rich countries promised to give 100 billion US dollars every year in climate finance by 2020,
but this target has still not been fully met. They also say how many poorer nations are
waiting for this money to help them to deal with floods, droughts, and rising seas. However,
the support from these richer countries has been slow and less than promised. Furthermore,
the report also says that international climate talks often and with weak language. This is
where countries agree on general goals but avoid talking concrete action. Just like the UNEP
source (2022), the IIED warns that these failures support the perspective that globalization is
not working in a sustainable way. Both sources agree that while globalization connects
countries, it has not created the fair and effective cooperation needed to protect the planet.

Overall, this essay has shown that globalization has both positive and negative perspectives
when we think about climate change. From the environment side, my sources like the IEA
(2021) and UNEP (2022) show that globalization helps spread clean energy. However, the
counter to this is that it also makes more emissions through trade, transport, and
consumerism. From the inequality side, the World Bank (2020) and UNDP (2021) give
examples of how poorer countries have gained technology and finance, but the help is often
too small and too slow. From the cooperation side, UNEP (2022) and IIED (2021) explains
that promises are weak, money is delayed, and global agreements are not strong enough.

Overall, I believe that the evidence shows that globalization is not yet sustainable for climate
change. It gives tools like renewable energy and finance, but they are not enough compared
to the fast rise in emissions. Stronger rules and fairer action are needed if globalization is to
become truly sustainable.

One area where more research could help is the link between global trade and carbon
emissions. This further research could follow products on a step by step basis, from the
factory to the transport and then to the shop. By doing this it could compare different items,
like clothes, food, and electronics, to see which ones are most harmful for the environment.
This would help us understand the essay question better. This is because it would show if
globalization can ever be managed in a way that is more sustainable.
 At the beginning of this research, I thought globalization was mostly good for climate
change. I believed that sharing technology and ideas, like solar panels and electric cars, was
enough to make it sustainable. I focused mainly on the positive side. However, after doing
the research, my opinion has changed. This is because sources such as the IPCC (2022),
UNEP (2022), and IIED (2021) showed me that globalization also causes big problems. The
examples of this, such as more emissions from trade, waste from consumerism, and weak
promises on climate action really made me reconsider. Reading this evidence made me see
that the negative impacts are stronger that I first thought. Now, at the end of my research, I
believe globalization is not yet sustainable in the context of climate change. It can help in
some way, but it needs much stronger rules and fairer actions if it is to make a real
difference.

References:

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Giddens, A. (1990). The consequences of modernity. Cambridge: Polity Press.

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. (2022). Climate change 2022: Mitigation of

climate change. Cambridge University Press. Retrieved from [Link]

International Energy Agency. (2021). Net zero by 2050: A roadmap for the global energy sector.
Paris: IEA. Retrieved from [Link]

International Institute for Environment and Development. (2021). Delivering climate finance:
The challenge of political will. London: IIED. Retrieved from [Link]
climate-finance-challenge-political-will

United Nations Conference on Trade and Development. (2021). Review of maritime transport
2021. Geneva: UNCTAD. Retrieved from [Link]
transport-2021

United Nations Development Programme. (2021). Human development report 2021/2022:

Uncertain times, unsettled lives. New York: UNDP. Retrieved from
[Link]

United Nations Environment Programme. (2022). Emissions gap report 2022: The closing
window. Nairobi: UNEP. Retrieved from [Link]
2022
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. (2021). NDC synthesis report.
Bonn: UNFCCC. Retrieved from [Link]

World Bank. (2020). World development report 2020: Trading for development in the age of
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[Link]