Second Draft Reader Response on "The Double Edge of Globalization"

In the article, Chanda(2007) mentions that globalization has resulted on several environmental problems but nations can work together to mitigate these problems. I agree with him to a large extent. We can not deny the fact that these environmental problems are inevitable. However, I think that with the willingness to tackle these problems, we can minimize the adverse effects of globalization.

Chanda(2007) states that with Montreal Protocol been carried out, the ozone hole has shrunk. This is a good example which shows how different countries come together and effectively relieve the global environmental problems. I agree with Chanda about this point because there are a lot of evidences that show the improvements has been made. For instance, the Environmental Protection Agency reported in the "Cap and Trade" that,"SO2 emissions from Acid Rain Program sources have fallen from 17.3 million tons in 1980 to about 7.6 million tons in 2008, a decrease in emissions of 56 percent." This is significant because acid rain is caused by the extensive burning of fuels from the factories which stem from globalization. In addition, acid rain is one of the main problems faced by the European and North America countries. However, there are certain limitations that hinder the cooperation of the nations. For example, the individual’s interest of the country. Chanda(2007) points out that the United States has refused to sign the Kyoto Protocol. This might be because that implementing the Kyoto Protocol would lead to unemployment and other society problems. Thus the United States government is unwilling to sign it due to their personal interest. In such case, the public can step out and pressurize the government. With advancement in communication technology globally, the people are aware of these issues. Boseley(2013), the author of "From the archive, 7 September 1984: Acid rain must be tackled now, say MPs"(The Guardian), says that,"The report's main recommendation is that Britain should join West Germany,France and Scandinavia, which have committed themselves to a 30 percent reduction in sulphur dioxide emissions between 1980 and 1930." This is an evidence that the people are doing something to get the nations to work together and mitigate the environmental problems.

In conclusion, I believe that in the globalized world today, there exists some problems but all can be relieved by the nations working hand in hand. To tackle the limitation for cooperating among the nations, the people can step out but after all, it depends on the nations because the governments are those with power to make actions for a greener tomorrow.

Reference list:

Chanda, N.(2007,28 June). The Double Edge of Globalization. Yale Global Online.

-http://yaleglobal.yale.edu/content/double-edge-globalization

Sarah Boseley.(2013,6 September). From the archive, 7 September 1984: Acid rain must be tackled now, say MPs. The Guardian

-http://www.theguardian.com/theguardian/2013/sep/06/archive-1984-acid-rain-mps

Cap and Trade.

-http://www.epa.gov/captrade/

Reader Response on "The Double Edge of the Globalization"

In the article, Chanda(2007) mentions that due to international trades, there was an increase in the consumption globally. This resulted on borderless pollution and deforestation. He also states that with the rising awareness, nations can work together to mitigate these problems.

I agree with Chanda's opinions. With international trades easily available nowadays, countries' demand for goods and services will increase. In order to meet these demand, we need to use more resources in a much faster pace. In Indonesia, farmers burn down forests to clear land for agriculture to earn profits from the surging demand for food from the neighbouring countries. As a result, it not only leads to deforestation, but also haze in Singapore and parts of Malaysia. In the 1960s, factories were set up to produce more goods for consumption. The burning of fossil fuels in these factories lead to increased frequency of acid rain. With the "help" of the tall chimney in the factories, the acid rain could spread to other parts of the world by wind. It became a global air pollution.

I also agree that countries are making actions about the problems and more improvements will be made. Boseley(2013), the author of "From the archive, 7 September 1984: Acid rain must be tackled now, say MPs"(The Guardian), says that,"The report's main recommendation is that Britain should join West Germany,France and Scandinavia, which have committed themselves to a 30 percent reduction in sulphur dioxide emissions between 1980 and 1930." The Environmental Protection Agency also reported in the "Cap and Trade" that,"SO2 emissions from Acid Rain Program sources have fallen from 17.3 million tons in 1980 to about 7.6 million tons in 2008, a decrease in emissions of 56 percent."

Thesis Statement for "The Double Edge of Globalization"

Globalization has inevitably lead to environmental problems such as deforestation and global warming. However, with the help of communication technology,which is part of globalization, nations can work together and mitigate these issues.

Final draft for Summary of "The Double Edge of Globalization"

According to Chandra(2007), many countries are benefiting greatly from globalization. Through international trades,there is a dramatic increase in the demand for goods and services.This results in countries enjoying boost in economy and high pace of development. However, we cannot deny the fact that globalization has caused quite a number of environmental problems such as worldwide deforestation, spreading air, land and water pollution and most importantly, global warming. Nevertheless, with the help of advancement on communication technology, the information about these problems have been conveyed to every corner of the world.People are aware of the situation and pressurize the governments to make some action to relieve the worsening problems. Hence, many nations have came together and signed treaties to do something about these global environmental problems. Although quite a few countries are reluctant on carrying out the agreement or even refuse to sign the treaties due to their personal interests, there are still improvements been made. 
                                                                                                                                                 (158 words)

Summary of "The Double Edge of Globalization"

According to Chandra(2007), many countries are benefiting greatly from globalization, mainly international trades. Countries enjoy boost in economy and high pace of development. However, we cannot deny the fact that globalization has caused quite a number of environmental problems such as world wide deforestation, spreading air, land and water pollution and most importantly, global warming. These problems have brought attention to the nations with the help of globalization, technology on communication. Hence nations have made some actions by working together to relieve the worsening environmental problems.
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Summary of Kenneth's second draft on Assignment 1

Kenneth went for tuition starting from Primary 1 until "O" level exam but he disliked the method of teaching and due to lack of reading, he didn't do well in English. After he went to Republic Poly, he was recommended to an English tuition where he appreciated the feedback given by the tutor and hence improved English from then on.

Survey questions on "The Double Edge of Globalization"

1.How does international consumer habits drive environmental devastation?

2."It has also been found that within a given industry, foreign-operated plants tended to pollute less than local peers." What is the pollution here? Is it just air pollution?

3.How does China as "the factory of the world" cause environmental problems?

4.Out of all the environmental problems, why is global warming one of the main concerns?

5.Why did some of the major countries such as US refuse to sign the Kyoto Protocol?

Second draft for Assignment 1

The first time I got to know about English was during Primary 3. This is because I come from China and the government only introduced English to upper primary students back then. I had quite a positive experience when I just started learning English. The grade was not counted for graduation so I learnt English without any stress on the academic results. I was just curious about English and wanted to know more about it. I had fun trying to use the newly learnt vocabularies to communicate with friends. Although sometimes we used it wrongly and created jokes, I still learnt and improved through the mistakes.

    When I went to secondary school in China, which was during the beginning of 21^stcentury, due to globalization, the China government paid more attention to the importance of English. That’s when English was treated just like other subjects such as Chinese and Mathematics. We had proper English lessons and tests where grade became a concern to us. I was lucky to have a really nice English teacher, Miss Lin in my secondary life. She was only 24 years old back then but she already obtained Test for English Major Brand 8. (Some certificate issued in China for English language). She was knowledgeable and friendly. She treated us more like her younger friends rather than her students. She was always able to make the class so interesting to capture my attention. I still remember there was one class when she just wrote some English words on the blackboard and asked us to form a story using these words and acted it out during the following class. I would say, without her, I might dislike the English lesson just like a lot of other students in other schools did. Without her, I might not even dare to come overseas to study in this English based education system.