The Root of Environmental Problems

Currently, environmentalism and the green movement can be seen everywhere in society from urban grocery stores or laundromats to windmills in remote fields. The green movement, along with the ever-increasing popularity of organic foods, has become a conscious part of many citizens’ lives. Additionally, environmental issues are becoming an increasingly important part of the global social fabric which provides further evidence that the public as well as the policy makers are heading in the right direction. In a historical perspective, however, environmental movements have often been plagued with ignorance and misinformation of the public.

The term "environmentalism" is commonplace in today’s society, however, it encompasses longstanding concern. Throughout human history all across the globe, environmental issues have always been present in societies as discussed by Najam et al. and Theodore Panayotou. Evidence of this can be found from numerous sources including manuscripts, books, journals, and historical archives. Although the historical evidence of environmentalism is there, it is often veiled behind ambiguous titles and is easily overlooked. History classes don’t cover it, political science classes never mention it and most text books don’t explain it.

Historical exploration of environmentalism is problematic in that it exposes questionable human-centered sociologies and the negative role that humans have played in transforming nature. Socially constructed myths, as described by Wright, are partially to blame for declining environmental health. By allowing ourselves to believe the socially-constructed myth that tells the human race that environmental issues can be safely ignored with few future implications, we have trapped ourselves in an over polluted world with limited resources remaining. These human-centered sociologies and the negative impact we have had on the environment is clearly shown through resource depletion, habitat destruction, pollution, etc.

Humans need water, food, air, energy, medicines, warmth, shelter and minerals for survival. Since the start of human civilization, we have relied on resources that the environment provides to fulfill these needs. Complete ignorance of the impacts we have on nature has led us into a difficult situation with resource depletion that is not going to be easily solved. For example, mining is depleting natural mineral sources at a rapid rate. Additionally, deforestation in the tropics is on the rise. Humans currently cut or burn down more than 100 acres a minute. Not only has unrestricted utilization of resources proven problematic but excessive pollution of remaining resources has proven equally as detrimental.

Historically, the importance of environmental issues seems inconsistent. Throughout history, these issues have often been brought into the lime light of mass media for a short time before being dismissed or forgotten with little care or attention to the matter. Since little action was taken, policy makers were viewed as apathetic. This translated to further lack of concern or indifference in the general public toward environmentally sustainable practices. Fortunately, this trend of apathy is being reversed as environmental concerns and issues take the lime light for good. Increasing attention to and implementation of regulations and policies that effect the environment are a strong first step toward solving the environmental problems we face today.

The immensity of all environmental concerns across the world renders the topic much too complex to be summarized in any short order. However, the vast majority of all current global concerns revolve around the consequences of previous human activity stemming from ignorance and misinformation. With the more recent trend of increasing environmentally conscious behaviors, policies and regulations, significant environmental issues are likely to be overcome.

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Environmental Globalization

Before globalization as it is understood today gained momentum in the global economy, environmental concerns and issues linked countries together. Environmental changes and disasters have always occurred around the world regardless of national boundaries. The impacts of these changes and disasters also have effects beyond borders. Because of environmental changes, impacts and concern, nations around the world began to recognize that cooperative response is the best means by which to combat these problems. It was quickly understood that nations working together is the only approach to take if we aim to make an impact on environmental trends across the planet.

Recently, globalization has become known almost exclusively on an economic and industrial basis. When compared to stories of the impoverished and the notion of the rich people getting richer at the expense of the less fortunate people, environment has become less of a popular globalization issue. However it must not be forgotten as the environment is closely linked with the globalization. In an International Institute for Sustainable Development publication, Najam, Runnalls and Halle explain that “links between environment and globalization need to be re-examined and recognized. To ignore these links is to misunderstand the full extent and nature of globalization and to miss out on critical opportunities to address some of the most pressing environmental challenges faced by humanity.” Environmental impact on globalization is impossible to ignore.

Environment is inextricably linked to globalization in a two-way manner; not only do environmental occurrences effect how international regulations are established but, in turn, the international regulations created will also effect the environment.

There is more to globalization than the often-discussed issues of the impoverished. Exploring environmental implications will broaden the scope of understanding globalization.

Related articles:
Globalization and Environment
Science, Nature and the Globalization of the Environment, 1870-1990, Social Forces Vol 76, 1997
Globalization and Environmental Protection: a Global Governance Perspective