Globalization and trade agreements both have a great negative impact in the environment. Due to globalization, there has been an increase in the consuming of products. When the demand for these goods goes up, the stress on the environment goes up as well. An example would be when a crop goes high up in demand. The farmers will be putting strain on their soils due to trying to get the crop to the consumers as quickly as possible. According to Buzzle.com (Source 1), “Due to globalization and industrialization, various chemicals have been thrown into the soil which have resulted into the growth of many noxious weeds and plants. This toxic waste has caused a lot of damage to plants by interfering in their genetic makeup”. These chemicals become harmful to the consumer, due to the fact that we may consume some of these plants. Globalization also plays a big role in polluting the environment. This is caused by harmful gases and the burning of fossil fuels that are released when transporting products. When harmful gases are released into our air and slowly destroy the ozone layer, they cause what is known as the greenhouse effect. Another factor that makes globalization bad for the environment is when industrial waste is dumped into seas. After they dump this toxic waste into the sea, it can kill many of the saltwater wildlife. (Source 1) Some species that have been affected are sea otters, manatees, and sea turtles.
Figure 1: Sea otters are affected by globalization
Trade agreement also has a big impact on the environment. When transporting goods from one country to another, not only does this put pollutants in the ocean but also brings invasive species. An example of an invasive species is the zebra mussel. According to noaa.gov (Source 2), these zebra mussels attach themselves to Western European trade ships and have ended up in American rivers. Not only are they slowly killing the native freshwater mussel species, but also damaging the rivers that they inhabit as well. Trade agreement, like globalization, also puts harmful gases and pollutants in the air. (Source 3)
Figure 2: Zebra mussels have a negative impact in U.S. rivers
Australia, like many other countries, has experienced globalization. Australia has had a few negative environmental impacts, like the decaying of the Great Barrier Reef. Australia has seen the negative effects of trade and is doing a very good job of stopping the negative things from occurring again. According to dfat.gov.au, "10.5 percent of Australia's natural environment is protected by national legislation." (Source 4)
By: Gabrielle Ramsay and Christie Johnson, and Tori Sanders
By: Gabrielle Ramsay and Christie Johnson, and Tori Sanders
Work Cited:
Figure 1- http://scienceillustrated.com.au/blog/nature/urchin-loving-otters-fight-global-warming/
Source 2 &Figure 2- http://www.noaa.gov/features/earthobs_0508/zebra.html
Source 3- http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/envir_e/climate_impact_e.htm
Source 4- http://www.dfat.gov.au/facts/env_glance.html
Source 4- http://www.dfat.gov.au/facts/env_glance.html
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