POLS 1500 Chapter Notes - Chapter 14: Overgrazing, Anthropocene, International Relations
Document Summary
The ecological footprints of individual states vary to an extraordinary extent. Ecological footprints- a measure that demonstrates the load placed on earth"s carrying capacity by individuals or nations. It does this by estimating the area of productive land and water system required to sustain a population at its specified standard of living. If everyone were to enjoy the current lifestyle of the developed countries, more than three additional planets would be required. Globalization has stimulated the relocation of industry to the global south, caused urbanization as people move away from rural areas, and contributed to ever-rising levels of consumption, along with associated emissions of effluents and waste gases. Often generating greater income for poorer countries exporting basic goods to developed- country markets, ever-freer trade can also have adverse environmental consequences by disrupting local ecologies (communities of plants and animals), cultural habits, and livelihoods. Some analysts believe there is little evidence that globalization has stimulated a race to the bottom .