Environmental risks versus globalization

 Can globalization be used to protect the environment?

 At the beginning of February, a number of environmental organizations will meet in Nairobi at the "United Nations Center for Environmental Planning" (UNEP) in preparation for the launch of the "GEO Year Book 2007". This is the 2007th report submitted in collaboration with the Global Ministerial Environment Forum.
In detail, prepared by 80 scientists and policy experts from around the world, the impact of globalization on environmental issues is measured, especially the balance of fishing and fish in the world, and the challenge facing governments in light of the combination of effects.

According to the report, "the increase in demand for food from the sea will lead to the collapse of fish stocks by 2050 if a proper method for managing the sources is not implemented." Climate change - global warming, and an increase in the acidity of the oceans (due to the melting of carbon dioxide), damage to coral reefs - which constitute "hatcheries" for many species, these add and intensify the danger to the life of the oceans.

One of the options to prevent collapse is a dramatic expansion of the number and areas of marine reserves. Today, all marine reserves include areas equal to 0.6% of the total area of ​​the oceans. In 2002, the Governments at the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) launched an initiative of the "Summit of Governments" for sustainable development to increase the areas of marine reserves fivefold and to triple the no. The "reserved" species are until 2012, but according to the report "the rate of declaring marine reserves is not fast enough and will not end before 2085", that is, three decades after the collapse.

Identifying the dangers versus the possibilities as a result of the increase in international trade is one of the most important issues, since globalization is causing changes on an unprecedented scale, millions are improving their standard of living while exploiting increased resources in a lack of skill, with low efficiency, while putting pressure on nature and without considering the environment, Unsustainable use of resources. Overexploitation and damage to fisheries, fresh water, forests, atmosphere and soil, can lead to failure instead of success.
The question is not whether the globalization process is good or bad, but whether it is possible to regulate and direct regulations and tools that will ensure the maximum benefit of the process with minimal harm to the environment (and man). The possibilities of supervision and control exist, with the help of which globalization can be directed to a positive path.

A number of options were outlined to direct globalization to responsible, smart behavior, to a sustainable economy. Governments/countries must direct, enforce and regulate (companies and entrepreneurs): open means of control over trade in natural resources: trees, minerals, animals, etc., open environmentally friendly means of energy: wind, sun, involve local populations in opening up resources while maintaining The environment, openness and freedom of information to the public (consumers), which will enable an appropriate public response.

The yearbook "raises" the challenge of forestry and the importance of documentation for raw materials for wood, (documentation that confirms that trees have been legally harvested), only about one hundred thousand (100,000) square kilometers of forest - about three percent of the forests that provide raw materials, included in the "International Tropical Timber Organization These Tropical Timber Organizations must expand to include other and additional natural resources.

Financial institutions also have a place in the supervision of "proper globalization", the report notes the involvement of a financial institution (International Finance Corporation to Grupo Andre Maggi company) that financed 500 farmers in Brazil on the condition that they operate under environmental and social supervision.

Payments for "environmental services" are a correct form of development, the report cites as an example the Panama Canal whose operation depends on water reservoirs, due to deforestation the water reservoirs were depleted and today the canal authorities pay farmers and peasants to plant trees, trees that will help renew the water reservoirs.

Another example: cooperation between an environmental organization and two banks in India to promote the use of energy from the sun (solar). The banks helped finance the supply of electricity from solar panels to 17,000 households (about 100,000) people, a similar project is taking place in Tunis, thus avoiding the emission of greenhouse gases.

The "book"/report highlights existing challenges whose importance increases due to globalization, but at the same time presents a new challenge arising from the rapid technological development. A challenge within which lies the solution to globalization as a positive environmental instrument!
Dr. Assaf Rosenthal,
Tour guide/leader in Africa and South America.
For details: Tel. 0505640309 / 077-6172298,
Email: assaf@eilatcity.co.il