As our industries continue to become more globalized we see their impacts more each day. While it is tempting to get lost in enjoying the increase in communication and available goods, now being able to get starfruit at a grocery store in Idaho, something that would’ve been nearly impossible 100 years ago, it’s hard to ignore the negative impacts that it’s having on our environment. Impacts which threaten many different species of plants, animals, and insects with extinction.
Many areas of the global production and trade process pose huge threats to the continued health of our planet and the species that inhabit it. Rampant pollution results from mass transportation of goods, factory production, and a general overreliance on fossil fuels. This can have disastrous effects, contributing to climate change, ocean acidification, and the destruction of habitats. Famously, in April of 2010, an explosion at one of the British Petroleum company’s oil rigs caused an oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico that is still impacting the area today, with the populations of coral, trout, dolphins, and many other animals in the area still struggling.
While this is an example of a singular and disastrous instant there are much less obvious long-term forms of destruction happening as a result of globalization. New roads and dense cities are being constructed to support the increased production and need for transportation. These intrude on wildlife and destroy habitats, threatening the local species. Many areas will specialize in the output of specific goods. Coastal areas have economies that often rely on fishing, something which is leading to overfishing which threatens the stability of ecosystems and the species that live in them. Additionally, areas will specialize in the output of fossil fuels like oil and coal giving them the incentive to oppose any internal efforts to switch to renewable energy.
It is evident that globalization has, and will continue to have negative effects on our environment that threaten the already dwindling populations of endangered species. However, it is unreasonable to suggest we stop this increased global connection. Though, it is also unreasonable to assume that corporations will lead the charge in ending this destruction when profit incentives point them in the other direction.
One solution that may be effective is legislative regulations. The UN is currently working towards sustainable consumption and production as well as other goals that would help improve our environment and reduce the negative effects we are having on it because as of now the biggest threat to the lives of endangered species is environmental destruction caused by humans.
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