Joy Billy
Prof. Costelloe-Kuehn
STSS 1961-01
Tuesday, March 25 th , 2014
Debate Paper # 5: Is globalization a sustainability problem?
1.
Over the course of world history, globalization has been eminent in commerce, trades, employment, politics, and much more, but how does one define globalization?
Globalization has several interpretations which involve internalization, liberalization, universalization, modernization, and lastly deterritorialization (Halle et al).
Internalization involves the relationships between borders and countries. Liberalization is in respect to the governmental regulations upon the “movements between countries”
(Halle et al). Universalization uses universal communication to contact and inform others about plans, experiences, and proposals for the future. Modernization concerns capitalism and industrialism which increases the value of the economy, but also ruins the determination of small businesses and entrepreneurs to compete. Lastly, deterritorialization is “the process [in which] geography is reconfigured so that social space is no longer mapped in terms of territorial places, [distances, and borders]” (Halle et al).
Globalization is a map for the economy where commerce, trade, and foreign investments play in to its grand scheme of the sustainability of the environment.
Globalization is great for the economy, but over time, it has placed stress upon the natural resources of the environment. For this reason, globalization can be seen as a sustainability problem for the environment.
Lists of stakeholders within this issue include: environmentalists, NGOs
(nongovernmental organizations), small and large corporations, citizens, government, and investors. Within this debate paper, sub-issues such as the advantages and disadvantages of globalization, and alternatives as to how it can or cannot be made into a sustainable tool for the environment, will be discussed. Questions of an eco-globalization approach will arise and perhaps oppose the standard of what globalization currently is.
2.
Although Stiglitz argues that globalization can work and be sustainable with adjustments, he exclusively discusses the reasons as to why it is a huge sustainable problem. He also claims that America “can afford to reduce pollution: [and that] there are countries that emit only a fraction as much greenhouse gases per person while enjoying just as a high standard of living” (Stiglitz, 8). He also states that America is the prime polluter and does not take responsibility for the emissions they produce. One of the many factors that globalization remains a problem is because it takes a greater affect upon the poor.
Knowing that the poor do not have sufficient resources to adapt with the externalities of gas emissions, they are forced to tolerate and sacrifice their standard of living. Countries like Bangladesh and Maldives are greatly impacted by the pollution and are subject to climate change which could harm the crops that they need to harvest for nutrition, and economic reasons. Stiglitz provides a statistic that claims “a small island state of 1,200 island and 330,000 people in the Indian Ocean will be totally submerged in as little as

fifty years, according to reliable predictions” (Stiglitz, 8). It is evident that studies have shown the immediate, but gradual effects of climate change from carbon emissions.
Stiglitz adds that although planting forests will help eliminate carbon emissions, deforestation is occurring at an extreme rate that puts the atmosphere in jeopardy. He further explains that deforestation creates “fewer trees to convert carbon dioxide to oxygen, and [as a result of] carbon stored in wood, it is released into the atmosphere as it burns or decomposes” (Stiglitz, 8). He believes that the most efficient way to reduce greenhouse gasses is to “preserve the world’s rainforests” where the conversion of carbon dioxide gas to oxygen is most potent. Stiglitz highlights evidence that approximately “2.7 billion people in the over 60 developing countries, that contain tropical forests are not being compensated for the valuable environmental services they provide for the world”
(8). His ideological framework encompasses an alternative which would create an incentive for other countries to develop rainforests to gain economic wealth. He explains that by simply compensating these same developing countries that provide environmental services, would boost their economies and motivate them to maintain and grow more forests. In this way, Stiglitz’s solution to globalization is through solving it’s sub-issues of global warming and global poverty.
3.
Stiglitz’s article was very informative and has sound reasoning around his ideological framework. There were not any overstatements, but only frightening evidence as to the consequences of globalization. He effectively discussed sub-issues and provided a clear explanation and solution to not only solving one issue, but solving three. It is clear here that globalization is only the umbrella that covers vast amounts of issues and problems that the environment faces. Despite him creating solutions for an eco-globalization, he provided enough evidence as to why globalization is considered a sustainable problem.
He listed the major factors and connected the issues of global poverty and global warming would be interrelated to solving the negative impacts of globalization. The evidence Stiglitz provided was not mishandled. The evidence used in his article only made his argument stronger and concrete.
4.
5.
An overview of an article representing the “no” position, describing the argument, the facts used to support it, and the ideological framework.
6.
An analysis of the “no” position that identifies holes in the argument, faulty reasoning, overstatements, and other ways empirical evidence is mishandled.
7.
An overview of the argument and evidence provided in a third article (of your choice).
This paragraph should focus on ways this article challenges or extends the arguments and evidence presented in the articles described previously.
8.
A statement of your perspective on the issue and a brief description of what you consider priority actions needed to respond to the issue.
Collins, Mike. The Pros and Cons of Globalization . 28 June 2010. Web. 24 March 2014.
<http://www.manufacturing.net/articles/2010/06/the-pros-and-cons-of-globalization>.

Halle, Mark and et al. "Environment and Globalization: Five Propositions." International
Institute for Sustainable Development, 2007. Document. 24 March 2014.
<http://www.iisd.org/pdf/2007/trade_environment_globalization.pdf>.
Hoppough, Suzanne and Robyn Meredith. "Why Globalization is Good." Forbes Magazine .
Forbes, 30 March 2007. Web. 24 March 2014.
<http://www.forbes.com/forbes/2007/0416/064.html>.
Stiglitz, Joseph. "The Most Global Issue." Our Planet . United Nations Environment Programme,
2007. 28. Document. 24 March 2014.
<http://www.unep.org/pdf/OurPlanet/OP_Feb07_GC24_en.pdf>.