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

Biodiversity

             Biodiversity has change and will continue to change, this is because 150 years ago we did not have the same advancement as we do now. As well the number of species present on Earth changes over time, and the composition of species changes as well. 150 years ago cars weren't as popular as they are now, emitting fossil fuels which has caused global warming causes many more animals to go extinct. We are now over populated with 7 billion people on the planet making it easier for the planet to become polluted, making more animals extinct. What we don't see is how this is effecting us, it may be small and not noticeable but in the future it will be definitely effect us. From a human perspective, the rapid climate change and accelerating biodiversity loss does risk human safety e.g a major change in the food chain upon which we depend, water sources may change, recede or disappear, medicines and other resources we rely on may be harder to obtain as the plants they are made from may reduce or disappear. 

Solutions:

Reduce environmental pollution, many plants and animals find it extremely hard to survive in polluted environments

-Protect native ecosystems from invasive species. Invasive species do serious damage to native ecosystems.

-Help reduce climate change because this is the main contributor to biodiversity loss. 

(E.g. scattered showers, carpooling etc.)

Violence in Societies

What are the leading causes of violence in society and what do you think could be done about them?

Causes:

• Lack of education
• It’s a cycle
• Poor family conditions
• Poor economical state
• The Media
• provocation
  self defence

Society today is full of evidence of violent behaviour. Everywhere we look there is violence on television, in our home, school and community.

Concern:

Society is suppose to be a safe area, but instead its becoming a dangerous and unliveable environment. It is harder for children to grow up safely, without being in this lack of violence. Violence in society is of increasing concern to all Canadians. Our growing knowledge of the nature of violence requires us to expand our ideas of who are the perpetrators of violence, and who are affected. We are coming to realize that violence takes many more forms than physical blows or wounds. It includes sexual assault, neglect, verbal attacks, insults, threats, harassment and other psychological abuses.

Potential solutions are to bring awareness to these problems as well as educating the people in the society and breaking the cycle of violence.

Racism cause and root of the problem

There are 3 main causes to racism, and maybe you do not see it, but racism surrounds us globally. Racism is the belief that characteristics and abilities can be attributed to people simply on the basis of their race and that some racial groups are superior to others. Racism and discrimination have been used as powerful weapons encouraging fear or hatred of others in times of conflict and war, and even during economic down turns. (Global Issues)

Stereotypes

One of the most common causes of racism is accepting stereotypes. Through television radio, the internet,  music, and books people paint others with broad brushes generalizing attributes, feelings and behaviour to conform to one construct of the other. When a person, especially one that is very young, is exposed to stereotypes of a specific group for the first time, then that person will assume all the members of the other group are the same. Likewise, when a source is constantly displaying negative things about a particular race, then that will affect the overall opinions as well and some may feel comfortable displaying their negativity.

Unfamiliarity

Another very common, and probably the most common cause of racism is unfamiliarity. People fear what they do not know or understand. If someone hasn't grown up around a particular race before, then there is more of a chance the person can be racist toward that particular group. Not all the time, but when the person has already been fed negative stereotypes, and does not have the actual real life experiences with at least one within the particular group the subject of hate, then the chances of racism are increased. This is why it is important for children to be around other races at a young age to ensure they get to meet others that are different and to be comfortable around them so as to help counterbalance any false stereotypes they may encounter in the future.

Selfishness

Selfishness is another obvious cause of racism. Humans are sometimes very selfish creatures caring only about their own at the expense of others. If individuals aren't taught how to respect others, then the potential for the person to become racist is increased as well.

Sociologist and Phycologist Darren Hiebert states:

“Racism, the most obvious transgression against the Oneness of Mankind, is undoubtedly an insidious 

problem in our society and one which social developments are increasingly compelling us to address. Unfortunately, however, this word has too often come to be synonymous with the problem itself, rather than as the most extreme expression of the real problem. One of the most important points is that the real problem is this: failure to recognize and promote the spiritual principle of unity, thereby leading to discomfort with, and avoidance of, being around those who are different from us.”

- He is basically stating that we are all human and we shouldn't discriminate against anyone because of skin colour, religion, language, or customs.

Gender Inequality

The biggest impact of gender inequality especially in underdeveloped countries, is that women have gotten a status as the care giver, which means the mother is usually uneducated. This in the end will most likely have a ripple effect on the daughter. If the daughter does not get a proper education, it can cause her to get married at the age of 14. Get pregnant at the age of 15, and if she survives child birth she may have to sell her body in order to help support her family. Which puts her at risk of getting STD as well as HIV or AIDS. There's one single way to stop this cycle, and it's simple and easy it's education. This will not only play a huge role in the girls life but it was cause a ripple effect allowing her children to be safe and educated.
- It's actually places the girl if she is uneducated in danger, because she will not know the harm of HIV/AID's and different kinds of diseases. She won't be able to get an income, and won't have the same benefits as her brothers.
-Even around the world girls are not treated equally. We sometimes don't get the same experiences as males do, don't get paid as much, can't do jobs. It is all caused by stereotypes. 

Some steps to improve this problem are:

1) Education is a big one as I mentioned above, it will cause a huge impact on the later generations.

2) Diminishing stereotypes is a big one, eg: "girls are vulnerable" "They can't do a man's job""Girls should be in the kitchen"

3) Organizations can also help improve gender equality
 example: Because I am A Girl!

HIV/AIDS problem in underdeveloped countries?

HIV-AID seems to hit the world's poorest people because of 3 main reasons. one being that they are not properly educated. Without being educated they do not know the problems and diseases that can be caused through sexual transmitted disease. 2 the lack of resources and 3 is lack of medical care.  Problem with HIV/AID is they will not only be unable to work, but will also require significant amount of medical care. This will likely cause a collapse of economies and societies. Also HIV/AID's is seriously debilitating the rural labour force in countries with the highest infection rates, further undermining agricultural production and productivity.
An example of a non-profit group is UNAID's

The Aid Effectiveness & Country Capacity Division provides support to countries in scaling up effective AIDS responses towards universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support. The division provides technical assistance and invests in innovative approaches to strengthening systems and capacities of national partners and the UN system particularly for mobilizing resources, efficient allocation of these resources and effective implementation of programmes in ‘making the money work’. It is composed of a Country Capacity, Ownership and Accountability team and a Global Financial Mechanisms and Impact team.

Care Model

C: Compassion
A: Action
R:Responsibility
Equality
The CARE model of Global citizenship represents a set of core values that unite them all, despite the many differences that exist among them. All those are important traits in becoming a more ethical global citizen. With compassion you will be driven in order to help those in need. For one to make a difference one needs to take action, this probably the most important because a lot of people can talk, but to take action is when one will actually make a difference. Responsibility is also very important for being a more ethical global citizen because you must be accountable for all yours actions and only making commitments that you can and will honour. With responsibility one must as well be honest, honesty breaks barriers and allows for finding pure, true, sustainable solutions. Last is Equality, one must strive for fairness by being sensitive to the needs of each individual, seeking solutions that leave everyone better off.  Show respect so that others can see it. The most import criteria in my opinion is action like I said before, it is because I believe in talking less and doing more because that's when we will see a difference.