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