Monday, April 16, 2007
As the environmental expert of the group, I’ve a confession to make: I idolize Captain Planet! Captain Planet is a fictional character. I distinctly remember that after every show, Captain Planet will discuss methods on how to save the Earth. And that is the role of Captain Planet: to safe the Earth, which goes hand in hand with the theme song:
Captain Planet, he’s the hero
Gonna take pollution down to zero!
He’s our powers magnified
And he’s fighting on the planet’s side.
Despite the fact that Captain Planet is merely a fictional character, I can’t help idolizing him and wishing how Earth can be a wonderful place to live in with his existence. Moreover, with globalization, environmental problems are getting more intense, impacting our lives and perhaps, annihilating our lives soon if we do not instigate measures to combat these problems.
Globalization. Such a big word to pronounce and understand. According to www.dictionary.cambridge.org, globalization is defined as ‘the increase of trade around the world, especially by large companies producing and trading goods in many different countries’. Yes, globalization is seen as something positive. Globalization ensures that we are constantly in touch with our counterparts in various parts of the world. Globalization brings success to countries and increases the economy of a country with the increase in trade around the world. Yet, as most things are in the world, globalization has a negative side to it too.
The relationship between trade and the environment has become an increasingly contentious issue between economists and environmentalists. Economists insist that trade is necessary in the protection of natural environment as it seems that with globalization, it brings trade which subsequently brings wealth to countries. Hence, countries will then be able to afford to protect and maintain its natural environment. Meanwhile, environmentalists oppose this statement by stating that in the pursuit for national wealth comes environmental degradation.
Indeed, I agree with the environmentalists not only because I’m the environmental expert of the group, but the fact that it makes more sense to say that increase in trade causes an increase in ignorance for our natural environment. Moreover, it is clearly happening in front of our eyes. Since the Industrial Revolution, man has chosen to focus on modernizing the world instead of keeping a lookout for the state of the environment. Global warming is the result of globalization.
Even though the link between globalization and global warming is not clear, it does exist. An increase in trade results in an increase in demand for things and subsequently, an increase of production of things which brings an increase of environmental problems. With factories releasing poisonous fumes in the air and toxic chemicals into water sources, our world is being polluted and Mother Earth is suffering the brunt of our actions. It might seem unfair that others are affected by our actions, but in reality, nobody cares. Maybe except for environmentalists that is.
So, let’s all be Captain Planet for the day! Every action counts, even those that we consider insignificant. It IS possible to achieve a win-win situation where globalization can still continue and simultaneously, the natural environment can still be maintained! Cooperation is necessary in the pursuit for happiness. The onus is on us to save the environment!
Captain Planet, he’s the hero
Gonna take pollution down to zero!
He’s our powers magnified
And he’s fighting on the planet’s side.
Despite the fact that Captain Planet is merely a fictional character, I can’t help idolizing him and wishing how Earth can be a wonderful place to live in with his existence. Moreover, with globalization, environmental problems are getting more intense, impacting our lives and perhaps, annihilating our lives soon if we do not instigate measures to combat these problems.
Globalization. Such a big word to pronounce and understand. According to www.dictionary.cambridge.org, globalization is defined as ‘the increase of trade around the world, especially by large companies producing and trading goods in many different countries’. Yes, globalization is seen as something positive. Globalization ensures that we are constantly in touch with our counterparts in various parts of the world. Globalization brings success to countries and increases the economy of a country with the increase in trade around the world. Yet, as most things are in the world, globalization has a negative side to it too.
The relationship between trade and the environment has become an increasingly contentious issue between economists and environmentalists. Economists insist that trade is necessary in the protection of natural environment as it seems that with globalization, it brings trade which subsequently brings wealth to countries. Hence, countries will then be able to afford to protect and maintain its natural environment. Meanwhile, environmentalists oppose this statement by stating that in the pursuit for national wealth comes environmental degradation.
Indeed, I agree with the environmentalists not only because I’m the environmental expert of the group, but the fact that it makes more sense to say that increase in trade causes an increase in ignorance for our natural environment. Moreover, it is clearly happening in front of our eyes. Since the Industrial Revolution, man has chosen to focus on modernizing the world instead of keeping a lookout for the state of the environment. Global warming is the result of globalization.
Even though the link between globalization and global warming is not clear, it does exist. An increase in trade results in an increase in demand for things and subsequently, an increase of production of things which brings an increase of environmental problems. With factories releasing poisonous fumes in the air and toxic chemicals into water sources, our world is being polluted and Mother Earth is suffering the brunt of our actions. It might seem unfair that others are affected by our actions, but in reality, nobody cares. Maybe except for environmentalists that is.
So, let’s all be Captain Planet for the day! Every action counts, even those that we consider insignificant. It IS possible to achieve a win-win situation where globalization can still continue and simultaneously, the natural environment can still be maintained! Cooperation is necessary in the pursuit for happiness. The onus is on us to save the environment!
- Dinie
PS. let us save the cows and plants! i love Captain Planet & cows.(:
ended entry at
8:25 PM
8:25 PM
