Essay draft 2

Global warming, loss of biodiversity, financial crisis and equalities are problems faced in the modern world as a result of rapid globalization, as asserted by Goldin. Goldin continued by affirming that as rapid globalization increases her influences and outreach, solutions have to be formulated to tackle these crises.

We are part of globalization and globalization is part of us. Globalization has caused us to become more intertwined and interdependent (James & Jonathan, 2008). The bullet-fast rate of globalization has caused us our insatiable needs and wants. On the surface, we are delighted when our daily needs and wants are being satisfied. Beneath the superficiality, we have no knowledge upon what we need to forgo as a result of our greed. Our biodiversity is diminishing. We have lost 75% of our original biodiversity as recorded in the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (International Union for Conservation of Nature, 2005). Singapore started off as a highly vegetated island. Progressively, we are deeply etched in globalization as well as development. Changes took place over time, resulting in a change from an island filled with biodiversity to one full of modernized buildings. Singapore is one of the few countries with a 100% urbanized population (Central Intelligence Agency, 2011). Based on Goldin’s assertions and the statistics presented, it is inevitable to allege that Singapore has lost a huge part of her biodiversity as a result of rapid globalization. There are several causes to the depreciating local biodiversity such as toxic chemicals pollution and global warming. In contrast, there are several solutions implemented such as law enforcement and long-term education.

Competition among nations as a result of globalization has concluded an increased number of industries (Paul, 2007). There is an imminent increase in industrial activities globally. Wealthier countries such as the United States utilizes the comparative advantage of countries such as China where there is an abundance of labour force (Jici & Lixia, 2009). In countries where productions materialize, there is minimal control in disposal of waste (Eurostat, 2013). This instantaneously led to an increase in pollution and global warming (National Geographic, 2007). Global warming is a ubiquitous challenge faced in countries, as agreed by Goldin. It is commonly defined as an increase in atmospheric temperature. The atmospheric temperature has been increasing yearly, resulting in unsuitable conditions for organisms to live in (Natural Resources Defense Council, 2008). Organisms that are not able to sustain in this harsh condition will gradually perish. Singapore has experienced an increase in global temperature and irregular rain pattern, resulting in a non-optimal living condition for various species (National Environment Agency, 2014).

As organisms perish, our biodiversity is declining. Laws have been enforced to control the amount of pollutant emission (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2012). The Singapore government has legislated a considerable number of environmental protect laws. Under the Environmental Public Heath Act, Chapter 95 and Section 113, industries have to conform to the toxic industrial waste regulation (Attorney- General’s Chambers, 1988). However, the implementation of laws does not totally uproot this deeply rooted problem. It only mitigates and not eradicates the problem. In the eyes of shrewd producers, an implemented law does not restrict them from emitting more so long as their profit outweighs their penalty.

Preventing global warming by restricting pollutant emission cannot be mitigated overnight. A long-term universal solution is needed – education. Through education, the self-awareness of individuals will be increased. The government body should spearhead these extensive educational movements. The Ministry of Education of Singapore has added environmental protection into the syllabus of our students (Ministry of Education, 2006). These educational values should be extended to every citizen of Singapore. The government bodies have, thus far, employed a multitude of education activities, ranging from booths campaigns to pamphlets and brochures (National Environment Agency, n.d.). These education methods that was employed in schools have impacted the lives of our younger generation. By extrapolating the effects after education the general public, we can safely proclaim Singapore as a greener country than before. Singapore’s National Environmental Agency advocates educating people of all age on environment education and its efforts have proved to be successful as there was a remarkable fall in environmental protection (Victoria, 2010). Environmental protection is the responsibility of every individual. The fate of our future generation hinges in our hands. These ideas should be brought forward to everyone. Educating the hearts and minds, yet not the hands, is a vital process. Despite these solutions available, I would like to reiterate that globalization has indirectly resulted in a lost of biodiversity as a result of global warming which is caused by pollutants and greenhouse gas emission.

Globalization is a dual-edged knife. While it may satisfy our craving for products, our biodiversity is constantly put at stake. Insignificant effects of globalization such as migration and global warming have exacerbated the rate of diminishing biodiversity. Mitigation factors such as preserving nature reserves and law enforcement may seem viable, but this is not true in the long run. A more enduring solution such as education is needed to protect our generations, as well as the future. Whilst we are coming up with modernistic solution, vast biodiversity are still being lost. Is it that we are not doing enough, or that the rate of globalization is too fast that we are unable to comprehend?

References:

James R. Faulconbridge & Jonathan V. Beaverstock, 2008, Globalization: Interconnected Worlds, page 331, retrieved from http://www.corwin.com/upm-data/24132_19_Hollway_Ch_19.pdf

International Union for Conservation of Nature, 2005, Millennium Ecosystem Assessment. retrieved from http://www.globalissues.org/article/171/loss-of-biodiversity-and-extinctions

Central Intelligence Agency, 2011, The world Factbook, retrieved from https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/fields/2212.html

Paul Halsall, 2007, Modern History Sourcebook: Tables Illustrating the Spread of Industrialization, Table 1 & Table 2, retrieve from http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/indrevtabs1.asp

Jici Wang & Lixia Mei, 2009, Dynamics of labour-intensive clusters in China: Relying on low labour cost or cultivating innovation, retrieved from http://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/---dgreports/---inst/documents/publication/wcms_193157.pdf

Eurostat, 2013, Waste Statistics, retrieved from http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/statistics_explained/index.php/Waste_statistics

National Geographic, 2007, Global Warming Fast Facts, retrieved from http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2004/12/1206_041206_global_warming.html

Natural Resources Defense Council, 2008, The Consequence of Global Warming On Wildlife, http://www.nrdc.org/globalwarming/fcons/fcons3.asp

National Environment Agency, 2014, Weather Statistics, http://app2.nea.gov.sg/weather-climate/climate-information/weather-statistics

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2012, Law and Policies, http://www.epa.gov/oppt/p2home/pubs/laws.htm

Attorney- General’s Chambers, 1988, Environmental Public Health (Toxic Industrial Waste) Regulation, retrieved from http://statutes.agc.gov.sg/aol/search/display/view.w3p;page=0;query=CompId%3Ab832ea0f-e6fb-4d56-96f0-bc3a4ec0b54c%20ValidTime%3A20130821000000%20TransactionTime%3A20130821000000;rec=0;resUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fagcvldb.agc.gov.sg%3A443%2Faol%2Fbrowse%2FtitleResults.w3p%3Bletter%3DE%3Btype%3DactsCur

Ministry of Education, 2006, Lower Secondary School Geography Syllabus, retrieved from http://www.moe.gov.sg/education/syllabuses/humanities/files/geography-lower-secondary-2006.pdf

National Environment Agency, n.d., Environment Education in Singapore, retrieved from http://unfccc.int/files/cooperation_and_support/education_and_outreach/application/pdf/ap2009p12.pdf

Victoria Vaughan, 2010, Is Singapore the worst environmental offender?, retrieved from http://news.asiaone.com/News/AsiaOne+News/Singapore/Story/A1Story20100514-216266.html