"Climate change", to put it more clearly "global warming" and its connection to "globalization", is one of the most controversial global debates in recent decades, which has raised many concerns. Scientists believe that over the past 100 years, the Earth has become abnormally warmer by about 0.74 degrees Celsius, and the last decades of the twentieth century have been the warmest years in the last 400 years.
According to the “IPCC”, credible authority on climate change and the effects of global warming, the largest increase in temperature observed on Earth since the mid-20th century is due to greenhouse gases produced by humans (Jackson, 2020).Experts believe that industrial activities, which have expanded significantly as a result of the globalization process, have been very effective in creating this problem and contributing to global warming. As Butler (2018), explains, although "industrial civilization" has led to human progress, prosperity, and well-being in many ways, it has unfortunately become a factor in destroying the earth's order. The phenomenon of "mechanization" turned humans into a powerful and uncontrollable force that could bring about any kind of change on earth and this is where the life of the environment was endangered. Therefore, the relationship between climate change and globalization can be analyzed from different aspects.
There are two basic and different views among scientists in studying the effects of climate change. Using data collected from plants, glaciers, and other specimens, some scientists confirm that human activities have a direct impact on the climate, and that the indiscriminate involvement of humankind in nature has caused a tremendous change that cannot be denied. On the other hand, another group of experts believe that the increase in heat in recent years can be attributed to solar activity and its radiation, the eruption of large volcanoes, and natural factors in general. This group says the rise in carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases is too small to justify the climate changes (Butler, 2018).In my opinion, both views of natural factors and human activities are effective in turn. However, I mostly agree with the first group that human activities, especially after the industrialization of the world and technological advances and the expansion of industrial plants around the world, have undoubtedly played an effective role in what is now known as global warming. Of course, researchers have presented valid arguments to prove this theory.
Although it is difficult to calculate the exact impact of climate change and globalization, there is clearly a link between the two.The negative impact of globalization on the climate is mainly due to the increase in greenhouse gas emissions and the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. The main sources of greenhouse gas emissions are power supply, industrial productions and transportation. According to scientists, "the molecule of greenhouse gases absorbs infrared light much more than other gases. Absorption of energy by gas molecules causes the molecule to move and increase its energy” (Jackson, 2020). When this happens on a large scale, according to scientists, it is as if we have covered the earth with a blanket, and thus the temperature of the whole area of the earth rises. Undoubtedly, the trend towards globalization in the 20th century, and especially in recent decades, has helped accelerate global climate change.
Followed by, globalization has led to the multiplication of transport networks in the form of road, rail, sea and air transport inside and outside the borders of countries. In addition, the growth of international trade and investment has stimulated global activity, which has led to an increase in global greenhouse gas emissions.
I agree with Goubergen (2019) who says, industrial livestock is another factor in increasing greenhouse gas emissions. Some researchers believe that raising livestock for human use is 18% more effective at producing pollutants and greenhouse gases than vehicles around the world. Likewise, the process of widespread deforestation to create livestock and pastures is another important factor in global warming. Experts believe that the extraction of usable fuel from petroleum sands in some countries produces 17% more carbon dioxide than refined crude oil, leading to increased pollutants, toxic drinking water in residential areas and the destruction of wildlife (Butler, 2018).
Among all the human interventions on climate change, the role of some of the major industrialized countries in the world in particular cannot be ignored. According to the Global Carbon Project, China and the United States together account for 40 percent of the increase in global greenhouse gas emissions. China, with an annual production of 10357 million tons of carbon dioxide, is the first largest polluter of the air, and the United States, with an annual production of 5,414 million tons, is in second place. India, Russia, Japan, Germany and Iran are the third to seventh largest producers of carbon dioxide in the world, respectively (Jackson, 2020). I think that with a little reflection on these recorded statistics, which are only part of the realities of globalization, we can conclude that as the world industrializes, which undoubtedly pursues the financial interests of big economic profiteers, climate change is shortening the life of the earth day by day.
On the other hand, it is interesting to note that some see globalization as part of the solution to controlling climate change. According to them, the dissemination of green or climate-friendly technologies through global networks of industry, capital flows and research and development is facilitated. Moreover, the rapid spread of technological advances makes it possible to better monitor and report on (or lack of) climate change (Goubergen, 2019). In their view, resolving the climate issue requires extensive cooperation between public and private parties across national borders, thus globalization facilitates this connection.
They also point to the European Emissions Trading System (EU ETS), which is a good example of how globalization can help climate solutions. As Goubergen (2019) explains, it is the largest greenhouse gas emissions trading project in the world and is the cornerstone of EU policy to combat climate change, and its main tool is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions cost-effectively. As a result of this plan, nearly 200 countries have committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and keeping temperatures much lower than 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit). Advocates of globalization also claim that global movements around climate change are evolving. Today, six out of 10 Americans are "concerned" about climate change, more than doubling in the past five years, and are committed to meeting climate change commitments (Jackson, 2020). Thus, they see major global measures that have expanded because of globalization as part of a solution to mitigate the effects of climate change.
In conclusion, today, climate change has become one of the most important issues among environmental challenges, and in the last two decades it has attracted the attention of many scientific and political circles in the world. Although climate change related to fluctuations in the Earth's environment and the natural processes around it cannot be ignored, what most experts agree on is the increase in greenhouse gases is due to human activities and industrialization of countries, which leads to an increase in global temperature and an surge in natural disasters. Although there are plans around the world to deal with this crisis, the current trend in the relentless expansion of capitalism and the acceleration of the global economy, climate change can only be controlled through smart policy changes. Of course, in order to achieve the desired results, not only the political intervention of governments is needed, but also individuals can play their role. For example, by changing the diet, changing the consumption pattern, changing the lifestyle that leads to less energy consumption, waste separation, etc. In my opinion, since we live in a world where capitalism and making more profit are recognized as a superior value, humans are only thinking of making more money and are willing to destroy all the natural capital of the earth to get it. Human beings are thirsty for more diversity, even without really needing anything extra. Thus, apart from all worldwide activities to reduce global warming, we must first change the way we think and look around us and try to preserve the natural resources of the earth for future generations as well.
References
Butler, C. (2018). "Climate Change, Health and Existential Risks to Civilization: A
Comprehensive Review (1989–2013)." Environ Res Public Health,
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Goubergen, J. (2019). "Globalisation: also part of the solution to climate change." Economist,
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Jackson, S, T. (2020). "Climate change." Emeritus of Botany, University of Wyoming. Jan 28,
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Streiff, L. (2021). "NASA Satellites Help Quantify Forests' Impacts on Global Carbon Budget."
Global climate change, Vital signs of the planet. NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center,
818-354-2649. Feb 4, 2021. Retrieved from
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