Revised Summary on "The Double Edge of Globalization"

  In “The Double Edge of Globalization”, Chanda (2007) states that globalization brings about both positive and negative impacts on environment and governments play a pivotal role to raise public awareness and tackle global challenges. Expanded international trade, which is attributed to globalization, contributes to urbanization, economic growth and increased consumption. It will lead to widespread deforestation, pollution and global warming. As a result, natural catastrophes may occur, shrinking the global economy and causing social disruption.  However, powerful advancements in communication can instantaneously transmit information and ideas about environmental degradation to citizens around the world to raise their awareness. Although many nations have signed the Kyoto Protocol, they have been inconsistent in their approach to reducing emissions of greenhouse gases. This shows us the failure of international cooperation to encourage the importance of hyperconnected world, as well as the unwillingness of key actors on the global scene. Therefore, governments and non-governmental organizations should work together to build international consensus on pollution reduction to solve the environmental problems.