Introduction
The term globalization refers to a multifaceted process whose course and speed are influenced by various factors. Globalization is understood in the environmental field as a process that results in widespread environmental crises. This process is thought to have been triggered by global pollution. Humanity’s globalization to create a global society has resulted in global problems. A significant portion of the space occupied by these problems is taken up by the disruption of the planet’s ecological balance, which puts the continued existence of human life on the planet at risk to the point where one can speak of a global environmental crisis. Electricity generation necessitates the combustion of fossil fuels, which can take the form of solid rocks, gas, or liquids. These fuels include coal, natural gas, and oil, and they are used as a source of energy in the transportation and electric power industries. Furthermore, they are a significant pollution source contributing to global warming. This paper discusses globalization and the use of fossil fuels as the major causes of global environmental threats to determine the main contributing factor, human activity, and the best way to mitigate the problem.
Factors that Make Globalization and Fossil Fuel Use a Critical Threat to Environment
Innovation and Commerce
While innovation, commerce, and foreign direct investment all have a negative impact, the overall effect of globalization on CO2 emissions is positive. Researchers looked into the effects of globalization on the emissions of carbon dioxide in 85 different countries between the years 1985 and 2013 (Saint, 10). When the impact was evaluated directly, the findings indicated that financial globalization indirectly negatively influences carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions; nevertheless, economic globalization has a good effect on environmental deterioration. Due to the increased consumption of traditional or dirty energy resources for economic activities such as manufacturing, every nation is attempting to achieve maximum economic development through investment and international trade. They try to achieve top economic development through urbanization and industrialization, which cause environmental pollution that affects each nation’s quality of the environment. It results from increased consumption of traditional or dirty energy resources for such activities.
Growth of Civilization
The gradual appearance of climate change and global warming on earth has been attributed mainly to the growth of civilization. As a result of globalization, there was an increase in the volume of international trade, increased cooperation among nations, accelerated financial flows, and discoveries in technology and science. Nevertheless, it also contributes to the deterioration of the ecosystem. According to sustainable development and environmental protection, industrial production, uncontrolled natural resources exploitation, increased traffic development, growing energy production, developing technologies and technics, and agricultural chemical contamination are the primary causes of environmental problems. These are the main factors that contribute to environmental degradation. The transition to an industrial mode of production needs to take place now that society is developing and the population is growing, both of which generate an increase in the demand for items necessary for life (Saint, 10). Undoubtedly, greater industrial output brings several benefits, but these risks damaging the environment by releasing toxic gases into the land, water, and air.
Depletion of Raw Materials Due to Rise in Demands
The adverse effects of industrialization are seen in the decimation of plant life, animal populations’ annihilation, and health worsening. The characteristics of industrial production are that it pollutes the environment through the depletion of raw materials and the excessive buildup of trash of all sorts, including garbage that cannot be destroyed by nature. Globalization is a process that occurs on a massive level (Saint, 10). It has led to the development of traffic, which is responsible for the degradation of the environment through the production of more noise, an increase in the levels of air pollution, and the uncontrolled release of hazardous and harmful substances. Although there are some globalization advantages, the adverse effects it has had on the environment much outweigh the favorable ones. The most significant adverse effect is reflected in the devastation of the ecosystem brought about by exports. The excessive consumption of natural resources as a direct result of rising demand and the destruction of ecosystems as a direct result of the rising population have a significant and negative impact on the environment.
Gas Emission from Industrialization
Burning fossil fuels poses a further significant threat to the environment worldwide. The energy from fossil fuels contained carbon and was produced by a geological process millions of years ago. Most components that makeup fossil fuel are the decomposed leftovers of organic matter from plants and animals (Saint, 10). In the past, fossil fuels have primarily contributed to the world’s energy supply. This trend will likely continue for an extended period unless adequate actions are taken to encourage the use of renewable energy.
Use of Fossil Fuels as the Primary Source of Energy
Consequently, the current state of the planet’s climate may be primarily attributed to burning fossil fuels. The reliance on fossil fuels as the primary source of energy in the majority of countries has led to a variety of harmful effects on the environment, including pollution of the air and warming of the planet. Air pollution is the root cause of a wide range of health problems, as well as having adverse consequences on the economy and society. The by-products of burning fossil fuels are critical contributors to environmental injustice and global inequality, and they pose the most significant risk to the future and health of the world’s children. The emissions comprise various carbon dioxide and other dangerous air pollutants (Saud, 11). Carbon dioxide is the most crucial human-generated greenhouse gas that alters the climate.
Global Carbon Emissions in Connection to Changes in Global Temperature
Models predict that global temperatures will be at least 5 degrees Fahrenheit by the end of the century, higher than the 1901-1960 average and possibly up to 10.2 degrees. If annual emissions continue to rise at their current rate, as they have since 2000, this trend will last until the end of the century. Temperatures are expected to be at least 2.4 degrees higher than in the first half of the twentieth century (Dahlman, 3). They might be as much as 5.9 degrees higher if annual emissions increase slowly and begin to fall significantly by 2050. Globalization’s significant and far-reaching negative consequences manifest themselves in the form of accelerated global warming and a shift in the Earth’s climate. The greenhouse effect, which contributes significantly to global warming, is largely a result of developing nations’ increasing industrialization and fossil fuel reliance. Carbon released into the atmosphere from these two sources causes the melting of ice sheets and glaciers, which in turn raises sea levels.
Human Role in Aggravating Globalization and Fossil Fuel Use
Deforestation
Most of the environmental problems faced today are caused by human activities. The depletion of natural resources and the pollution of the environment, the reduction in the variety of animals and plants, the deterioration of ecosystems, the disappearance of wildness, and climate change are all problems caused by humans. With the assistance of science and technology, humans have, over many centuries, both harmed and transformed nature (Saud, 11). The overexploitation and use of fossil fuel in most activities of daily life and industries is one way in which human activities have contributed to the worsening of the threat that fossil fuel use poses to the world’s environment. Using fossil fuels is one example of how previous technological advancements have significantly contributed to improving people’s lives.
Extinction of Species for Innovations
However, in addition to this, they have resulted in undesirable consequences for the environment. Pollution, the depletion of fossil fuel resources, and the extinction of species are all mainly attributable to widespread consumption and industrial activity, as well as the rising energy requirements of a global population that is continuing to grow. Industrial growth led to a rise in the need for fossil fuels in the industrial sector. This, in turn, led to an increase in demand, which, in turn, increased the production and consumption of fossil fuels (Saint, 10). This has generally increased the emission of greenhouse gases associated with fossil fuels.
Expansion of International Trade
Globalization has occurred concurrently with and has, in some instances, promoted the progression of various developments. Globalization has encouraged the rapid creation, consumption, and trade of material commodities in proportions that could not have been foreseen. This is because globalization is intimately tied to the expansion of international trade. As a result, the demand for production and transportation has increased, which has increased the amount of fossil fuel required for manufacturing goods and their conveyance to the market in question. The performance of such actions on a repeated basis has significantly contributed to the rise in the release of fossil fuels into the air, resulting in the impacts of pollution and greenhouse gases (Sadiq, 9). It has resulted in a more significant ecological footprint left around the planet due to human activity. The increased population caused by immigration and the free movement of people led to increased pollution caused by transportation.
Over the previous two centuries, globalization has dramatically encouraged the fast expansion and proliferation of cities worldwide, which has played a significant part in the process. Cities are not just drivers of economic growth but also generators of innovation and technological advancement (Rehman, 8). Even though cities are home to more than half of the world’s population, they only account for 2% of the earth’s surface (Rehman, 8). Population, for instance, the proportion of people who live in urban areas and cities is considerably higher in Europe, where over 80% of people currently reside in urban areas and cities (Radmehr, 7). It is not a coincidence that older urban regions, such as Paris, London, and New York, are growing stronger through time and seeing continued urbanization and population expansion.
Unplanned Urbanization
These adverse effects are readily apparent in urban areas that have undergone unplanned urbanization, which has resulted in pollution, the ruin of historical environments, and an increase in population. Many more social and economic activities have been encouraged all around the world as a result of globalization. This has resulted in the requirement for the development of modern transportation infrastructure, in addition to the development of other facilities that make it possible for a country to attract visitors, tourists, and investors from other nations. It has also been observed that this makes a country more appealing as a host location for important international events. As a result, many countries have resorted to deforestation in order to make place for more modern infrastructure.
Overpopulation
People are drawn to major cities due to the rise in urban proximity returns brought about by globalization and new technologies. Major environmental problems directly result from urbanization’s stresses on the natural world. The process of globalization encourages rapid urban expansion and human activity, both of which threaten to exacerbate the degradation of urban natural resources and environmental pollution. Problems with the urban environment are dangers to people’s health, either in the present or future. They result from the devastation humans cause to the natural environment that is brought into or found in urban areas. There is a correlation between urban environmental problems and initiatives for urban growth (Gani, 5). These difficulties are also related to environmental concerns. The management of garbage disposal, which is inefficient and inadequate, elevated levels of air pollution, and water bodies’ pollution are some of these urban environmental challenges. Other repercussions include the production of greenhouse gases and chemicals, the depletion of resources, and the disruption of ecosystems.
Initiatives Global Community May Implement to Mitigate Effects of Environmental Threat
Use of Alternative Source of Energy
In order to lessen the severity of the environmental damage caused by globalization and the burning of fossil fuels, the international community can take several preventative measures. The majority of countries have already begun enacting steps to control the environmental hazard posed by using fossil fuels by encouraging the use of alternative forms of energy, most of which consist of renewable energy (Erdoğan, 4). The use of renewable energy sources plays a significant part in decreasing the consumption of fossil fuels and, as a result, lowering the level of pollution created by these fuels. Wind energy, solar energy, hydro energy, wave tides, and fuel cells are just a few alternative forms of clean energy being developed and utilized by various nations and individuals. Green production methods are being used by various businesses to cut down on the amount of carbon emitted during production and subsequent product consumption.
The transportation sector has undergone significant transformations, one of which is the development of electric vehicles, to lessen its excessive reliance on fossil fuels. The international community can further reduce the environmental risks posed by fossil fuels by imposing restrictions on the amount of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases that each nation can emit, as well as setting targets for the reduction of emissions by a specific time, and then letting the nations take responsibility for meeting these requirements (Bos, 1). The amount of pollution that can be released into the atmosphere by each plant has been capped in certain nations, including the United States. This assists in the process of forcing corporations to adopt environmentally friendly methods of production.
The international community may also agree to abandon the extraction of fossil fuels and instead employ technology that captures and store carbon. Even though they are costly, these kinds of initiatives have the potential to help reduce the amount of greenhouse gas influence in the atmosphere (Markkanen, 6). The international community can also reach a consensus on the rate at which fossil fuels will be replaced with other renewable technologies over time (Cameron, 2). These kinds of rules and targets will be beneficial in reducing the detrimental consequences that the consumption of fossil fuels has on the surrounding ecosystem.
Educating People on Taking Responsibility of the Environment
The global community should place a primary emphasis on educating individuals about taking personal responsibility for reducing their emissions of greenhouse gases in order to lessen the negative impact that globalization has on the environment. As was mentioned previously, globalization is a highly complex process; as a result, it is challenging to exert authority over the actions of individuals operating within a global setting. Individual acts that are likely to contribute to pollution and environmental degradation are difficult for the government to control, even though the government may be able to handle controlling an industrial contribution to environmental harm.
Creating Environmental Awareness For both Globalization and Use of Fossil Fuel
Providing people with training on how they have contributed to the situation as individuals and the steps they can take to decrease the influence would be a highly effective means of resolving the issue. The current environmental problem is intimately connected to the awareness of environmental issues. To prevent other environmental catastrophes, raising people’s knowledge of environmental issues is necessary. Environmental awareness can be defined as the following: habits and knowledge, adopted beliefs, attitudes and values, norms acceptance regarding what is in the social and natural high quality and healthy environment, what threatens it, how (Cameron, 2). This will help people adjust their behavior, making it more likely that the majority of them will think about their carbon impact before participating in an activity. In addition, it will be essential to establish applied ecology on the foundation of mutually accepted environmental policies. At the national level, such actions can be taken by the government, and non-governmental organizations can take action at the international level. Even if their application might be restricted to a particular region, their impact will be felt worldwide.
Conclusion
Both the process of globalization and the burning of fossil fuels have been significant contributors to the deterioration of the environment’s health on a worldwide scale. Through combustion, which results in the release of several different by-products, it has been discovered that fossil fuels produce the highest volumes of carbon emissions globally. It has also been discovered that globalization encourages different changes in the world, such as uncontrolled urban development, overpopulation in urban centers, growth of industries, and increase in traffic, which results in various human activities contributing to environmental hazards. Due to the significant impact that both of these dangers have on the environment, steps must be taken to reduce the negative impact they have. Even though it is believed that fossil fuel consumption will decrease shortly due to depletion, the consumption of these fuels is still high, and the impact they have is highly destructive. Utilizing an alternative energy source can be of great assistance in minimizing the negative impact that this consumption has. Developing policies for control and raising awareness about environmental issues are two other potential courses of action that have been suggested.
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