Globalization

Globalization though in many new terms is an age old process and one firmly rooted in the history of colonialism.  Global trade expanded quickly during colonial times as European powers sucked in raw materials such as timber, fish, slaves, coffee, and sugars from many countries such as Canada, Africa, and the Caribbean. Globalization now differs from back then, it has completely changed global economy, it's impact on people, and the natural world. The major change is due to the huge alteration in technologies; electronics have radically altered the production, sales and distribution of goods and services as well as patterns of global investment. To paraphrase, he is stating that technology has changed trade as a whole now because it causes more international distribution.  

Globalization is a hugely important issue because it is overwhelming us culturally, physically, and economically. I believe that without globalization we wouldn't be able to export or import as efficiently. Also, globalization has kept us all connected throughout the world. A couple of centuries ago, globalization was not as advanced as it is now. Globalization is now a bigger picture and has had a huge impact now on trade because countries can now import raw materials and it is easier to have access to foreign products because of the huge advancement in technology. Also globalization has had a powerful impact on the health system because it provides a more effective health care system. This impact is because globalization makes health care more available to the open public and also because people can learn about certain ways to be, and stay, healthy. Also, I think that globalization has a lot of technological advancements and because of them our health care system can grow and improve. Globalization is a revolutionary way of living and without it our world would be at a serious loss with global trade and our health care system wouldn't be evolving as quickly as it is.  

Next Phase in Life

As you move into the next phase of your life, how will you try to affect change in the world regarding these issues?

Through my high school years I have been very passionate about changing the world for the better. I have joined many committees that have been doing so, Me 2 We, SISO, pinky lewis, Soup Kitchen. As I move into the future I want to start a committee that would change the world in a big way. I have learned how to run one successfully with the help of the ones present at Hillfield. I want to start something regarding undeveloped countries. Educating children and making sure that women get the desired education. As I learned throughout the year was that educating women actually makes a huge difference, as I mentioned in women equality, it allows the women to bring income in. There small but very effective things that can be done to change the world small or big. It's the actions you take in order to make them realistic.

Threat to Canada

What is the biggest threat facing our Canada in the next 50 years

Water scarcity will be a huge threat. Canada has the most fresh water in the world.

Consumptive water us:

Consumptive water use refers to the water that is not returned to the streams after use. Most of the water enters the atmospheric pool by evaporation and from plant transpiration

-Irrigated agriculture is responsible for the consumptive water use. Example Colorado River (it has the most of its water diverted to irrigated agriculture

-Agriculture is responsible for 87 % of the total water used globally

Water Sustainability: 

-The 7 billion people on the planet use nearly 30% of the world’s total accessible renewal supply of water

-By 2025 the value may reach 70%. And people have lack of basic water service

-Millions of people die from water-related diseases

Pollution plays a key role in water scarcity.

Pollution, from industry, agriculture and not least, human waste, adds fierce pressure on water scarcity. About two million tons of waste are dumped every day into rivers, lakes and streams, with one litre of waste it causes water sufficient to pollute about eight litres of fresh water. Today's report estimates that across the world there are about 12,000 cubic kilometres of waste water, which is more than the total amount contained in the world's 10 largest river basins at any given moment.Therefore, it suggests, if pollution keeps pace with population growth, the world will in effect lose 18,000 cubic kilometres by 2050 almost nine times the amount all countries currently use for irrigation.

Solutions:

-There are a lot of little things that you can do such as: conserve water. Take shorter showers

-Water lawn at night

-Cloud harvesting

-Put up these net on any high place that way when fog or low clouds come in the moisture is captured and the water runs into large tanks.

-Agricultural water should be efficiently used and allocated.

-Water-related diseases, including Guinea worm, diarrhea, malaria, and typhoid should be brought under control 

Threat to Canada

The threat that it causes for Canada is that we own the most fresh water. With the need for fresh water in the future this will put strain on countries which will cause wars in order to accomplish their need for fresh water.

Learned about myself

What have you learned about yourself during the course?

I learned many things: 

1) That I like discussions, even though I'm slightly shy to say my opinions, other's opinions are really interesting, and it's cool to hear what they have to say on the issue.
2) This course definitely made it easier to talk in crowds in other classes. It taught me to talk even when i'm shy and it made me more confortable to state my own opinions.
3) Presentations, how to get the class involved. Making the question vague but enough information in order to get opinions of others out.
4) I like the textbook on how to make a difference. We read articles that really moved me into the right direction.
5) I liked the AIC, so I like interactive assignments. It was different then what we usually do, I really enjoyed it.

3 most import issues!

What are the 3 most important issues that you've learned about during the course?

1) The European debt, this was covered over a wide period of time, but it allowed me to know every part of it. We kept up with every little detail which made the overall picture easier to follow. We understood why Greece had such a huge debt, what it will cause. What it will do to the European Union, as well as the Euro Zone

2) The Arab-Israeli was a huge issue we covered. The AIC simulation was a great way to get us involved to see what it's like to make press releases while still following goals, not starting conflicts, sticking with  alliances. Our written paper was also very beneficial I learned everything about the Arab-Israeli Conflict background.

3) Issue organizers, Implications, cause concern for many IMPORTANT topics, such as Racism, Violence in Society, Equality. It organized the topic making it easier to understand and follow. I also learned about how to view violence in society in forms of political social, environmental and economic factors.

I learned a lot this year in world issues, but those three were definitely a huge part of the course.   

ISU reflection

The presentations I have seen through every class amazed me. I learned something new with every presentation.  In a big class it allowed different opinions to be brought up, which changed my overall thinking on a lot of situations.

1)From if ending war is possible in 2050, and if it's in our nature to start conflicts. When resources become limited there will definitely be a rise in conflict, and that's where it's in our nature to start conflicts. Getting rid of conflicts is almost impossible because it will be always be in our intentions of surviving.

2)The other set of presentations lied from solutions to biodiversity, and how it will effect us hugely in the future.

3)Also global warming was a huge part of the presentations. I learned that there is two different sides of looking at it, will changing to an eco-friendly system effect our economy. Or if global warming's even occurring?

4) Communism will it work? it's failed in a lot of ways. How will the upper class people feel? Is it fair? 

European Elections

Voters in France and Greece sent an inescapable signal to the euro zone: austerity. Austerity is basically a policy of deficit cuts by lowering spending often through a reduction in the amount of benefits and public services. In france and Greece they showed that the average guy on the street understands economics better than the people in power. Instead of reducing debts and returning the European economy to health, the all-Austerity approach to solving the debt crisis was sending the weaker economies of Europe into a death spiral of recession, unemployment, and ultimately continued strain on national finances.

the problem is that whatever the verdict of the ballot box, Europe can’t avoid austerity. Its indebted 

governments can’t simply return to spending and borrowing as they had in the past. Financial markets just wouldn’t stand for it. So the question going forward is not what replaces austerity, but what new mix of policies along with austerity are needed to restore prospects for growth, fix national finances and quell the debt crisis.

There is a case to be made that the problem with austerity is not the austerity itself, but the pace at which it is being imposed. Rather than a mad rush to meet euro-zone deficit limits, more flexibility is needed to allow governments to adjust over a longer period of time and benefit from economic recover