Transboundary Pollution: Examine growth of environmental awareness as a consequence of these global interaction.

Transboundary Pollution: Examine growth of environmental awareness as a consequence of these global interaction.

Nowadays, many people are alert on the environmental phenomenon from the exposure from mass media. We cannot blame certain country or society for these severe consequences (e.g. global warming); we all have the responsibility to take care and have interest in this issue. Actually, there are lots of movements going on for the good cause of the environment. Several organizations like WWF, WNO, UNEP and environmental-friendly cooperation including Yuhan Kimberly-Clarks (Korea), IKEA, Johnson & Johnson, NIKE, Philips Electronics, and TupperWare are striving to preserve the nature of the world where we live in.

Through the globalization of the TNCs and MGOs, the eco-conscious products were introduced over the world. Advancement and development of the telecommunication, mass media, and Information Communication Technology (ICT) have spread out the importance of saving environment and nature. Consumers are now more aware on the eco-friendly products; people have been exposed to the significance of saving Earth. Cause promotions, advertisement and campaigns targeted not only certain nationalities or ethnics but also several cultures and international consumers.

Consider, for example, the success of the Earth Hour 60+. It was started as a light-off event Sydney, Australia in 2007. Now it has grown engaging more than 7000 cities and towns worldwide. This event mainly purposed to turn-off unnecessary lights for one hour as a symbol for their commitment to the planet. According to the official website, “Earth Hour does not purport to be an energy/carbon reduction exercise, it is a symbolic action. Therefore, we do not engage in the measurement of energy/carbon reduction levels for the hour itself. Earth Hour is an initiative to encourage individuals, businesses and governments around the world to take accountability for their ecological footprint and engage in dialogue and resource exchange that provides real solutions to our environmental challenges. Participation in Earth Hour symbolizes a commitment to change beyond the hour.^” Earth Hour 60+ is a great example that shows the growth of environmental awareness as a consequence of these global interaction.

Links: 

Earth Hours 60+

Eco-friendly companies 

WWF advertisement posters

Outsourcing of TNCs: Call Centers

Have you ever watched "Slumdog Millionaire" (2008)?

If you have watched, do you remember the scenes from the call center? I remember Indians speaking in English with English speakers probably Americans. That scene surprised and cultural shocked me. It was first time for me to know about the existence of call center abroad like english speaking countries. 

Here's the video: Jamal working in Call Center. Click here to watch the scene! (If you don't remember... :)) 

Few years later in Chicago, I had to call to the 'SONY' (one of the TNCs) to request about the after service information. Then, I could hear some

Political Outcomes: MGOs: APEC

APEC (ASIAN PACIFIC ECONOMIC COOPERATION)

Summary of the Articles: 

The first senior officials’ meeting of 2014 APEC, Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, will be held in Ningbo, China. Representatives will discuss free trade and ways to help to achieve innovative and sustainable economic growth. Not only that but delegates will also promote cooperation in developing economic integration, comprehensive connectivity and infrastructure development. 

http://english.cntv.cn/program/newsupdate/20140228/105124.shtml 

http://english.cntv.cn/program/newsupdate/20140227/102452.shtml

My Thoughts: 

As I look through the list of the MGOs of Mr. Barnes’ post, I questioned myself, whether my nation, KOREA, is a part of any of these groups. The answer was “NO”. After I researched on the MGOs during our class period, I could remember about the event of APEC when I was still in young age and I also recently visited ‘Nurimaru APEC House’ in Busan where the event was held in 2005.

According to the article of CNTV (representing China Press), it only briefly informs readers on the issues that were usually discussed even in the past. However, another article that I have read mentions that ‘development levels and specific conditions of individual member economies should be taken into account as they advanced the process of environmental goods liberalization.’ and ‘…greater efforts to disseminate environmental technologies, enhance capacity building and help developing economies to raise capacity in environmental industry and sustainable growth.’

From several articles mentioned that the reasons of hosting APEC in China are to increase the awareness of environment pollution and to enhance the productivity on the sustainable solutions and criticisms for China. 

But at the same time, it sounds ironic to me. This 2014 APEC reminds me of two events – 2005 APEC Korea and 2008 Beijing Olympics. There were so much issues on Busan, Korea as well due to the construction of the APEC House – if you’ve been to that place, you will be surprised on that such beautiful scenery but also will be curious on how that could be built in that cliff and small island. And if you could remember, Beijing Olympic in 2008, China did almost everything possible to their environment to make some attractive stadiums. See what happened now. They cannot deny themselves that this consequence is (Particulate Matter) somehow caused after the Olympics. And few years later, 2014, they are hosting another international event. I can imagine they must be preparing something marvelous and fascinating places for upcoming meeting in November. I hope this event could finish successfully with having some good solutions or even positive outcomes not to cause troubles or issues.

APEC House in Busan

(Actually it is no.1 visiting place in Busan)

APEC House in Busan

Big picture of the APEC House and the island

After 4 years of Beijing Olympics 

During the Beijing Olympics 

http://www.ecomedia.co.kr/news/newsview.php?ncode=1065614535126266

More Articles to read: 

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2012huapec/2012-09/08/content_15745221.htm

Cultural Imperialism

Cultural Imperialism (enforced or pressured change in culture) is the practice of promoting the culture, values, or language of one nation in another, less powerful one. 

Occurrence of the Cultural Imperialism means that the cultural dilution will exist. Cultural dilution can be defined as the local cultures becoming less pronounced as they are influenced by outside (foreign) cultures. 

This sociocultural integration occurred through the language, tourism, global brands, the media and democracy. 

In old days, the cultural imperialism has been associated with colonialism. (UK invasion) Nowadays, US has been able to export its control and influence through the commodities of its TNCs that includes McDonald's, Google, Coca-Cola, Walmart and etc. Cultural imperialism had been introduced as Westernization or even Americanization. It does not only take places in the brands but also in the mass media corporations. 

TNCs, transnational corporation, either intentionally or unintentionally spread consumerism through the concept of cultural imperialism. Behind the growth in the influence of TNCs is the rise of global consumer culture built around world brands. 

In old days, the cultural imperialism has been associated with colonialism. (UK invasion) Nowadays, US has been able to export its control and influence through the commodities of its TNCs that includes McDonald's, Google, Coca-Cola, Walmart and etc. Cultural imperialism had been introduced as Westernization or even Americanization. It does not only take places in the brands but also in the mass media corporations. 

PROS	CONS
variety of commodities are more available introduction of new technologies increased language skills Economic development (international trades)	Homogenized (the same) cultures or places around the world lost or diluted Local cultures (language, dress, food, music, etc.) Negative impact to Local businesses (failure from competition with TNCs)  Economic and political exploitation ( Stripped resources)

Check this video: 

McDonald's Francise Openings 

http://vimeo.com/10275493

McDonald's, for example, operates over 26000 outlets in 119 countries. In 1997 it opened one outlet every four hours. Coca-Cola is sold in nearly every country. It is a transcultural item, yet it is very much linked with US culture. In addition, national media systems are being superseded by global media complexes. Around 20 to 30 large TNCs dominate the global entertainment and media industry, all of which are from the West, and most of the which are from USA as well. These include giants such as Time-Warner, Disney, News Corporation, Universal and the BBC.  

References: 

http://www.geographypods.com/5-socio-cultural-exchanges.html

Pros and Cons of Globalization

What are the pros and cons of Globalization? 

Globalization

• economic, social, and cultural phenomenon

• globalization is The growing interdependence of countries worldwide through the increasing volume and variety of cross-border transactions in goods services and of international capital flows, and through the more rapid and widespread diffusion of technology. (IB definition)

Pros 

• Development in multinational corporation
• Enhancing information speed 
• Consumer's utility 
• establishment of global standard --> not only economic development but also political and social advancements (increases standard of living) 
• e.g. international corporation on human rights awareness (environment, labour, feminism, human) 

[출처] 세계화 장단점|작성자 벼락

Cons 

•  income inequality: increase in gap between the rich and the poor, shown through Lorenz curve
• dominance of global trade by the rich, northern hemisphere countries
• lack of opportunities for the poor to be able to access markets (because of trade protectionism)
• exploitation of workers and growers
• unemployment of local people 
• great dependence of one country on others 
• extreme environment pollution