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