I believe environmental protection was and currently still is an international challenge. Our daily necessities, the earth, air and water, do not stop at national borders. Thus, environment is a form of globalisation itself. As we know, environmental overexploitation and mismanagement in the energy and resource sectors on a global scale are threats to life on the entire planet, including Man. Man's growing prosperity so far has brought with it increasing energy and resource consumption worldwide and rising volumes of waste and emissions. With these waste and emissions, we are destroying our environment. In other words, globalisation harms the environment.
Refer to article “Global action on exports of e-waste to developing countries”: http://www.bmu.de/english/waste_management/press_statements_speeches/pm/38551.php
Every year, there is an enormous amount of computer and electronic devices that become obsolete and are thrown in the trash. Lead, cadmium, mercury, bromium and other toxic materials used in these equipments can contaminate the environment. These contaminators are known as e-waste.
As we have said in our group post, computers and technology are all part of globalisation. These electronic devices are being produced at a very fast rate resulting in a total of 20 to 50 million tones of e-waste being generated annually. E-waste is often not disposed of properly in developing countries. The result of this disposure is disastrous.
Our environment gets polluted. The toxics of the e-waste affect the environment, the ecosystems and all living organisms in this environment. When our environment gets polluted, it will be hard to salvage the situation. This scenario is just like a forest fire. Once the fire has begun, it is hard to extinguish it. Even if it is finally extinguished, there will still be damage done. I feel that the environment is a part of us. If it is ill, we are ill too. Due to our consistent exploitation of our environment, our environment is now facing a major crisis. It can no longer provide for us and our needs. Thus, we are facing extinction in years to come as well.
I was glad to read about the existence of The Convention. 169 countries have now acceded to the Convention. Indeed, this is quite a huge number of countries. But I would like to know, what about the other countries? I feel that all countries should be a part of the Convention. Everybody should play a part in protecting our environment from further assaults from globalisation. More importantly, if we protect our environment, we are protecting ourselves.
Quote from the article: “In August 2006, a shipment of toxic waste was illegally dumped at sites around the port of Abidjan. At least ten people have died and close to 70,000 people have fallen ill as a result.”
When I read this, I felt aghast. The negligence of the companies who dump e-waste inconsiderately has caused the deaths of many. Who knows, there may be one day where their inconsiderateness will cause the deaths of themselves. They should stop disposing e-waste in an environmentally unfriendly way. Perhaps they should take New York City as a role model.
Refer to article “New York City E-waste Recycled, Local Law Proposed”: http://www.informationweek.com/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=194300547&cid=Answers
It is mentioned that New Yorkers turned Lincoln Center into a giant electronics recycling and swap center over a weekend on 14th November 2006. The people’s e-waste was all recycled just within one or two days! I think this is a very efficient and effective way. Instead of dumping all their waste with an environmental price of pollution, they recycle all their e-waste, saving the environment, saving ourselves.
In conclusion, globalisation is destroying our environment and Man has to by all means save the environment in order to save himself. Even if the world does come to an end someday, at least we know we have tried to extend the world for a longer time…
Environmental & Health Expert,
Elysia Ong.Labels: Globalisation and Environment
