Sample Essay. The planet earth is round; that is an obvious and well-known fact. If a camera zoomed

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1 Sample Essay The planet earth is round; that is an obvious and well-known fact. If a camera zoomed in from outer space, the first things to be visible are the lands, seas, forests, rivers and mountains. However, a fact that is unclear amongst people is that the earth is not the same planet it was years and years ago. The ocean levels are rising, the polar ice caps are melting and the currents of the oceans are changing (Stiglitz, 2007). One might wonder what caused this. Is it because of the 16,000 plastic bags distributed every second? Is it because of the 100,000,000 mobile phones discarded in Europe each year and that only 2 percent of them is recycled? ("Numbers," 2007) The answer is yes. While these factors have contributed to the damage placed upon this world, nevertheless, they are not responsible for its entirety. Because there is a light at the end of the tunnel, the phenomenon that is called globalization can be transformed into a positive aspect rather than a negative one. Now is when governments worldwide should take steps to repair the environmental damage globalization has fostered by instituting educational programs, using natural resources wisely and promoting economic growth. There are some critics who claim that the increase in the human population and the uses of technology have negatively impacted the world's environment. There are many people utilising high levels of energy to operate devices such as lighting, heating, and cooling systems, as well as machinery and vehicles (Ehrlich, Ehrlich, 1997). Another issue is the release of dangerous gases and how that is affecting the climate and ozone layer. For example, boreal forests can cause a difference in the radiation budgets, the global carbon budgets and the balance of moisture in the climate (Air and climate, 2009). In addition, the earth's atmosphere has become impaired from the excessive emission of toxic chemicals. The hazardous chemicals and greenhouse gases that are being emitted will continue to increase, unless something is done to prevent such a disaster from occurring (Sarma,

2 1998). However, the environment's previously better and healthier state can be restored. Studies suggest that societies can become stable and productive through education. It is possible, as well, to increase the efficiency of the use of energy without having it affect living standards (Sinclair, 1987). Decreasing environmental damage can also be done through the dissemination of environmental knowledge related to resources that are being abused (such as farming, fishing, hunting and the use of available materials) (Allen, 2008). If all the material is distributed through some of the most popular media tools, such as magazines and television, people will be more inclined to pay attention to the information that the sources have provided. It will certainly lead to people becoming more aware about issues related to any of the harm that affects the planet's environment (Fortune-Rusynyk, 2007). Other critics argue that alleged environmental dangers, such as global warming, are exaggerated (Murray, 2006). Natural ecosystems are unable to survive in impoverished environments. At the same time, the hormone balance in organisms is being destroyed from the discharge of organic pollutants which is one of the issues that world leaders have spent so much time trying to resolve and restrain altogether, but have failed miserably (Stiglitz, 2007). Another fear is that fisheries may suffer from over-exploitation in their industry ("Impacts of globalization,"). All of the above have been effects of globalization. In addition, deforestation has its negative impacts on the environment. Deforestation has been, and still is, a great contributor to global warming. It has reduced the earth's oxygen supply, but escalated carbon dioxide's. Furthermore, deforestation has exposed and neglected one more factor that the planet benefits from: biodiversity (Stiglitz, 2007). On the other hand, the damages happening to our surroundings can be decreased gradually. The world's natural ecosystems (as in coral reefs and tropical rain forests) prove that highly rich and productive societies are, in fact, able to survive in harsh conditions

3 (University of Delaware). Any further environmental injuries can be prevented through extensive recycling and waste control. For instance, the United Nations Environment Programme makes sure the papers of its magazine are 100% recyclable in order to reach the goal of reducing its carbon footprint (Steiner, 2007). Fisheries can have their resources guarded, as well as the coastal areas, to ensure that they are not abused ("Impacts of globalization,"). These approaches are just a few methods that prove that globalization is not as terrible as it seems. Globalization has generated many useful technologies that consume fewer natural resources along with producing less waste and pollution. It has also been noted that there has been progress in energy efficiency, minimization in material usage and lowered carbon combustion (Osland, 2003). Another issue that raises concern amongst critics is how, as a result of globalization, the economy is negatively affecting the environment. Unregulated economic activity has been one of the causes of environmental destruction. Poverty in developing countries is not only creating distress within the countries themselves, but the environment of the world, too. When wood, coal and dung are burned for cooking and heat, hazardous gases are being released into the atmosphere; the release of fossil fuels from industrial factories located in such regions has the same outcome (Gallagher, 2002). Now, developing nations are more at risk to be faced with dangerous technologies and products. In the midst of the problems that globalization has brought on is the formation of more surplus and scarcity. Millions, if not billions, are using transportation vehicles that produce fossil fuels into the air. There isn't any consideration regarding the environment and the resources one can find there, since using non-renewable resources is what globalization has encouraged the human population to do (Brown, Renner & Flavin, 1998). Nevertheless, economic growth is beneficial towards the environment, as long as costs and solutions are investigated. The slowing-down of the economy is a plan worth executing

4 to save the planet. For instance, establishing cleaner plants that use natural gas instead of cheap coal-fired electricity plants won't exactly be cheap, but will benefit the planet in the long haul. Some people are saying that a free market and technological advances can be quite helpful tools (Butler). Thanks to the Kyoto Protocol, wealthier nations were called upon to assist poorer nations with technology-related matters that would make it easier for them to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions without harming their economic status even further (Gallagher, 2002). Doing so would encourage developing countries to increase production through the transfer of certain beneficial technologies. It will lead to a noticeable improvement in the efficiency of the production process. Finally, critics assert that the relationship between changes in international production and environmental problems still exists. Carbon dioxide emissions are expected to rise another 30 to 40 percent by An increase in economic activity will consume resources and intensify pollution, too. For instance, water is a natural resource that can be used many times, but if it's continually misused then many regions will face water shortages. As a result, this will take its toll on the economic growth and the environment the world's population is living in (World Resources Institute, World Bank Staff, United Nations Environment Programme Staff, & United Nations Development Programme Staff, 1996). Even so, there are answers to help solve the problems on the subjects of the environment and the production process by promoting economic growth. Through the diffusion of cleaner technologies, globalization has the potential to uncouple economic growth from pollution generation and resource consumption (Chung & Gillispie, 1998). Some policies have been created to eliminate wasting necessary resources as much as possible as well as shield them from dangers like pollution. Not only that, but any policy that contributes to being more energy-efficient helps people turn words into actions (World Resources Institute, World Bank Staff, United Nations Environment

5 Programme Staff, & United Nations Development P rogramme Staff, 1996). In conclusion, all the advantages and disadvantages of globalization matter in both the short and long term. If people are educated about preserving the environment and are encouraged to save energy, recycle, protect natural resources and are led towards environmentally-friendly economic growth, then governments would be well on their way towards restoring the environment. Instead of a 5 percent decline in carbon storage capacity of the world s forests since the year 2000, the goal for 2010 should be a 10 or even 15 percent incline in the carbon storage capacity. Rather than 70% of marine fisheries that are now fished up to or beyond their sustainable limit each year, the aim should be to decrease that 70 percent to at least 45 percent ("Numbers," 2007). After all the corruption the planet's environment has suffered, there is still hope to save it from even further damages as long as words and promises are turned into actions.