Environmental Impacts of Globalisation - Admission/Application Essay Example

Environmental Impacts of Globalization Globalization has immensely contributed to the growth of international trade and finance. It has drawn countries to work more closely with each other on various aspects of science and technology by ushering a new era of economic prosperity thus opening vast channels for development. Despite all these, it has greatly contributed to the environmental crisis as well (Miller, 2007). It has extensively featured in debates of environmentalism and green activities thus heightening its far-reaching effects. Globalization has led to increased consumption of products that have affected the ecological cycle. Increased world consumption of commodities has driven the production of commodities to shoot higher which has put much stress on the environments (Haugen and Mach, 2010). Earlier, people used to consume locally grown food but globalization has led to increased transportation of raw materials, manufactured and processed products from one place to another. Thus, people today consume imported products made in foreign countries. The huge quantity of fuel consumed in the process of transportation of these commodities and people has greatly contributed to increased pollution levels in the environment. Noise pollution and landscape intrusion are some of the environmental concerns that increased transportation has brought. Increased transportation has also generated strain on non-renewable energy sources such as gasoline whose natural quantities face the threat of over-exploitation due to high demand. Emissions from aircrafts have led to the depletion of the ozone layer, a stratospheric layer that filters out most of the sun’s harmful shortwave ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Depletion of this layer exposes the earth more to UV radiations whose impact on life include more skin cancers, sunburn and premature aging of human skins. It also leads to eye cataracts, blindness and other eye complications since UV damages several parts of the eye. It also weakens human immune systems leading to immunosuppression (Haerenes, 2011). On natural ecosystems, world’s major crop species such as wheat, barley, and oats are vulnerable to UV radiations. UV has also contributed to decreased growth rates, photosynthesis and flowering as well as damages marine life particularly planktons. A decrease in planktons could disrupt marine and freshwater food chains, thus leading to species shift. Loss of biodiversity in the aquatic environments could reduce fish yields for both commercial and sporting activities. In domestic animals, overexposure to UV radiations may cause eye and skin cancers. UV radiations also degrade wood, plastic, fabrics and many construction materials whose economic impacts of replacement would be significant. Emissions that come from burning fossil fuels have led to increasing greenhouse effect, a tendency to temperature rise that leads to global warming. Activities such as driving, industrial processes, and electricity generation among others are the major sources of these emissions. The release of greenhouse gases has adverse impacts on the environment, human health and the general economy. It also contributes to an overall annual temperature rise, decrease in the snow, sea ice and glacier coverage resulting in a rise in sea levels and increased coastal flooding (Stohl,2004). Heat waves are also likely to increase in frequency and severity thereby increasing risks of forest fires. On human health, higher temperatures and extreme weather conditions may increase the risk of deaths through dehydration and heat stroke, respiratory risks, cardiovascular problems and certain types of cancer may be on the increase. Greenhouse emissions also have economic impacts; erratic weather patterns affect agriculture, tourism and forestry, damage to infrastructure such as roads and bridges caused by extreme weather conditions. The impacts on human health will provide additional economic stress on health and social systems. On geographical dimension, the externalities of air pollution have immediate effect. The higher the concentrations of transport systems, the higher their pollution effects on the environment. This particular case is the reason large transport systems terminals such as ports, rail yards and airports are the most polluted areas after dumpsites (Gerdes, 2011). Some of the gases associated with transport systems include carbon monoxide, which is a product of incomplete combustion of hydrocarbons. Carbon monoxide is a poisonous gas, which if inhaled combines with haemoglobin to form a compound that inhibits the transportation and absorption of oxygen in the body resulting in asphyxiation. Lower concentrations of carbon monoxide may also prove fatal by causing poisoning symptoms and affect the people with circulatory weaknesses. It also affects plant respiration by preventing photosynthesis. Chemically, carbon monoxide is not a stable gas but it contributes to the formation of greenhouse gases by acting as a catalyst. Transport accounts the for70-90 percentage of carbon monoxide emissions. Another dangerous emission is nitrogen oxides, a by-product of nitrogen combustion. Transport accounts for 40-50 percent of its emission. Industrial production and burning of fossil fuels in power plants also release a lot of this gas. Nitrogen oxides are harmful when released in high concentrations from internal engine combustion, but they are not harmful to human beings in small quantities. They irritate the eyes but to plants, they cause stunted growth and leads to low yields. They are components of acid rains and smog as well as catalysts for ozone. Deposition of these oxides influences the nitrate cycle and algae blooms in aquatic environments. Hydrocarbons and volatile organic compounds are heavy gases with a strong odour. They are by-products of incomplete combustion of gasoline or emitted by petrochemical industries. Transport accounts for 45-50 percent of their emissions. Apart from incomplete combustion, refuelling and evaporations from gas storage tanks emit them (Lofdahl, 2007). These gases are carcinogenic to some extent, fatal at high concentrations and harmful to crops. Particulates encompass solid suspensions in the atmosphere such as smoke, dust, soot and products of incomplete combustion fossil fuels such as coal. Transport contributes around 25% mostly from diesel engines. Coal power plants are also emitters of this gas. They are carcinogenic and harmful to respiratory and cardiovascular systems. They may also reduce photosynthesis in plants. Smog is a mixture of solid and liquid particles of smoke formed through the accumulation of carbon monoxide, ozone, hydrocarbons, water and other pollutants. Smog components come from transport and industrial activities as a by-product, which are why it is particularly frequent in urban areas. Large cities like London, Los Angeles, Tokyo and the rest have serious smog emissions; however, they have policies to regulate these emissions. Smog reduces visibility, and it is very dangerous for flights and motorists. It is also dangerous for cardiovascular and respiratory systems, as well as eye irritation. Lead is a toxic metal used as an anti-knock in gasoline and batteries. Lead was the main source of atmospheric pollution in third world countries until recently. It accumulates in body tissues and very poisonous metal that affects metabolism. It may cause anaemia and mental retardation in children when in high concentration. Animals feed on plants that fix lead and thereby re-contaminate food chain. Carbon dioxide is a colourless gas produced by combustion and oxidation of fossil fuels. Transport contributes about 30 percent of the gas. Natural sources such as volcanic eruptions, metabolic respiration of organisms including decomposition also contributes to it. The high concentration of carbon monoxide may cause breathing disorders and climate change. Sulphur dioxide is a heavy colourless gas with a strong odour. Combustion of fossil fuels like coal and hydrocarbons are its sources. Industrial activities like steel and petrochemicals are key emitters of the gas while transport contributes only 5% of the gas. Power plants using low-quality coal and volcanic eruptions are also important sources. Sulphur dioxide worsens respiratory and cardiovascular complications. Low concentrations irritate the eyes and the odour course discomfort. Sulphur is an important plant nutrient, but sulphur dioxide is an inhibitor to plant physiological activity. Ozone is a powerful oxidant, a photochemical oxidant to be precise. It is a by-product action of light on a mixture of hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides in lower atmosphere hence directly linked with transport emissions, mostly in urban areas. The gas is poisonous, inhibits breathing, and irritates the eyes and respiratory tract. It also degrades metal and concrete structures through oxidation, damages crops and vegetation thus leading to loss of leafs. Ozone impairs visibility, and its increased concentrations may lead to skin cancer and eye cataracts. It is very useful in the upper atmosphere as it absorbs the harmful ultra violet rays. Acid rain and acid deposits: When sulphur oxides mix with water vapours, it dissolves to form sulphuric acid. Similarly, nitric acid is formed when nitrogen oxides dissolve in water vapour. The level of formation of these acids depends on the level of exposure to sunlight. They sometimes exist in dry forms as acid deposits. Since transport system immensely contributes to the emission of these gases, they, therefore, account for 10-30% of acid rains. Acid rains normally to damage artificial structures such as buildings due to the acids corrosive effects. When inhaled as mist, they irritate respiratory organs. They change the chemical composition of the soil due to their low PH and break down complex soil organic matter into simpler elements. By altering PH, they pose significant threats to aquatic life. Acid rains and acid depositions normally alter the ecological balance of continental ecosystems. Odours: These are subjective perceptions of smell that exist in different shapes. Diesel and gasoline engines produce such odours with an unpleasant smell and are particularly at the worst annoyance in smoggy conditions. Pollutants such as hydrocarbons and sulphur dioxide among others cause smog. These air pollutants majorly come from heavy industrial activities and transport system whose demands have risen with the coming of globalization. They have far-reaching effects in both plants and animals. The industrial waste generated from the production activities in manufacturing industries are at times loaded into ships and dumped into oceans-illegal dumping (Gold, 2002). The dumping has resulted in massive deaths of marine life and has deposited harmful chemicals in the sea. Oil spillage in the oceans also contributes to the suffocation and deaths of marine life, for example, the 2010 leaking containers of British Petroleum caused extensive damage to the marine ecosystem. Oil is very dangerous to marine life in many ways. It causes skin and eye irritation thus leading to blindness; lung and liver complications have long effects on marine life (Ostopovich, 2006). Oil contamination can also cause low fertility and poor births or survival rates of marine animals. It also affects coral reefs, clogs fish gills thus suffocates them and blocks sunlight penetration to the marine plants. Due to globalization and Industrialization, the soil is the dumping site for many chemicals and wastes. These have resulted in the growth noxious vegetation, which are injurious to life. Toxic wastes have caused much damage to plants by interfering with their genetic composition. Globalization puts pressure on land resources such as mountains dug out to build tunnels, and barren lands converted to settlements. Plastic is a major toxic non-biodegradable pollutant used immensely for packaging and preservation of export commodities. Industrial activity is the chief contributor to soil pollution with mining by-products such as ore or coal whose effects linger in soil surface for a long time making it unsuitable for use. Globalization has also propelled the growth of commercial agriculture in response to the demand for export of food products (Merino, 2010). This has led to tremendous increase in chemical utilization such as pesticides and fertilizers. These chemicals damage soil structure and eventually make the soil lose its fertility. Globalization has made numerous changes in individuals’ lives today, despite the challenges it has brought, it is impossible to reverse. These problems have their solutions to in the mechanisms employed to check the extent of these environmental impacts. Researchers are today arguing that the solution to these problems lies within globalization. If private companies can show the way by being environmental friendly in terms of production, then others in the public sector will be encouraged to follow suit since globalization is just about competition. It is crucial for individuals to maintain harmony with the environment for the survival of human race, plants and all life forms on earth depend on it. Human beings cannot afford to ignore the results of their undertakings, they need to have effective policies in place and implement them to ensure protection of these gifts of nature that makes the lives complete. Human representatives in the offices of power have that responsibility to curtail the extensive environmental damage; together they need to protect nature. 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