Revised Summary "The Double Edge of Globalisation"

In "The Double Edge of Globalisation", Chanda (2007) states that there are positive and negative consequences of globalization and combined international efforts are needed to mitigate those negative consequences.

Benefits include an increase in international trade, stronger economic growth and the immediate conveyance of global information.

Deforestation intensifies as a result of international corporations shifting their operations to developing countries with lax environmental regulations and farmers growing cash crops. Pollution is another consequence that is critical, as a result of its ability to transverse over territorial boundaries, harming the world’s environment. On the other hand, global warming is capable of weakening the international economy and destroying homes through floods.

The combined international efforts of all governments are necessary to mitigate those global consequences, rather than condemning a single party, the United Nations. The limited success of the Kyoto Protocol is a perfect example. With the absence of United States and the lack of implementations by its participants, it restricts the success the Kyoto Protocol was aimed to achieve. With combined international efforts, it is possible to avert these negative consequences.

Final Reader's Response

In “The Double Edge of Globalization”, (Chanda, 2007) expresses his concerns over various negative consequences of globalization. Among them, Chanda specifically mentions that globalization increases the speed of deforestation worldwide.

I agree with Chanda’s view on this matter. Globalization increases the consumption of goods and services, resulting in more forest clearing. An example mentioned was China seeking help from Brazil, in recent years, in meeting their soybean demands, costing Brazil 2.5 million acres of tropical forest.

However, I feel that the loss of biodiversity should also be taken into consideration. In the past decade, many sites of deforestation are located in the tropical rainforest, the place with the richest biodiversity. For example, scientists discovered that a single tree in the Peru tropical rainforest is home to 43 ant species, more than the total number found in Canada (Ramsey, 2009). When forests are cleared, habitats are destroyed, resulting in extinction of species.

I feel strongly regarding this issue, after reading an article, highlighting the loss of biodiversity even in protected tropical forests (Kinver, 2012). Thus, it shows that conserving the forest, as a nature reserve is simply insufficient, it is important to have local and international governments involved in reforesting and educating their people.

Works Cited

Ramsey, D. (2009). Complexity and Diversity in the Tropical Rainforest. Retrieved September 19, 2013, from Chambers Wildlife Rainforest Lodges: http://rainforest-australia.com/Complexity_and_Diversity.htm

Kinver, M. (2012, July 26). Protected tropical forests' biodiversity 'declining'. Retrieved September 19, 2013, from BBC News Science and Environment: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-18970076

Chanda, N. (2007, June 28). The Double Edge of Globalization. Retrieved September 19, 2013, from Yale Global: http://yaleglobal.yale.edu/content/double-edge-globalization

Reader's Response

In “The Double Edge of Globalization”, Chanda (2007) expresses his concerns over various negative consequences of globalization. Among them, Chanda specifically mentions that globalization hasten the speed of deforestation worldwide.

I agree with Chanda’s view on this matter. Globalization increases the consumption of goods and services, resulting in more forest clearing. An example mentioned was China seeking help from Brazil, in meeting their soybean demands, costing Brazil 2.5 million acres of tropical forest.

However, I felt that the loss of biodiversity should also be taken into consideration. In the past decade, many sites of deforestation are located in the tropical rainforest, the place with the richest biodiversity. For example, a single tree in the Peru tropical rainforest is home to more ant species than the entire United Kingdom. When forests are cleared, habitats are destroyed.

Therefore, it is important to have local and international governments involved in conserving and reforesting.

Thesis Statement (Jasmine)

Deforestation, a dire negative consequence of globalization, is conducted in such massive extend that it results in environmental degradation and the loss of biodiversity. 

Thesis Statement (Chanda)

The consequences of globalization, such as deforestation, pollution and global warming, outweigh the benefits and they could only be mitigated through international efforts.

Final Summary "The Double Edge of Globalisation"

In "The Double Edge of Globalisation", Chanda (2007) states that there are benefits and consequences of globalization and combined international efforts are needed to mitigate those consequences.

Benefits include an increase in international trade, stronger economic growth and the immediate conveyance of global information.

Deforestation intensifies as a result of international corporations shifting their operations to developing countries with lax environmental regulations and farmers growing cash crops. Pollution is another consequence due to its ability to transverse over territorial boundaries, harming the world’s environment. On the other hand, global warming is capable of weakening the international economy and destroying homes through floods.

The combined international efforts of all governments are necessary to mitigate those global consequences, rather than condemning a single party, the United Nations. The limited success of the Kyoto Protocol is a perfect example. With the absence of United States and the lack of implementations by its participants, it restricts the success it was aimed to achieve.