Lesson 4: Moving Towards a Sustainable Future
In this lesson, we will talk about Globalization and
its effects,
as well as discuss how society on a global scale is moving towards a greater
commitment to sustainability.
One of the biggest changes in
our lifetime is globalization. Globalization is the accelerating
interconnectedness of human activities, ideas and cultures. Globalization has
been happening for centuries but at a slow rate.
Technology has dramatically increased globalization. Today, globalization is
happening at an unprecedented rate - with more intensity, at greater speed, to
a larger extent, and having a greater impact than ever before. These changes
are evident in changing economies, culture, politics and use of natural
resources.
Globalization has brought benefits such as improved education, health,
well-being, and increased access to previously inaccessible or limited resources.
It has also had negative impacts such as the spread of diseases like SARS
virus, H1N1 swine influenza, and AIDS, and increasing climate change,
pollution, radioactive fallout from nuclear accidents and more.
People from every walk of life from
scientists to executives and clergy are recognizing today that many processes in
society are
not sustainable and require new thinking and change. Different organizations
have sprung up to address specific problems and to promote public awareness.
There are recent changes happening in
society, even if slow, that
are positive, pushing towards sustainability. Some examples include cap and
trade markets to curb carbon emissions, wind energy production for electricity,
more recycling options, and encouraging businesses and organizations to have a
low or zero carbon footprint.