Globalization, environment and sustainability are related concepts with globalization relating to international integration and leads to economic growth which in turn affects the environment and sustainability. Globalization is a positive factor with beneficial results to economic growth however it is also responsible for negative effects of disappearing sustainability socially and environmentally worldwide.
Traditional ways of life in Ladakh from the book, Ancient Futures, by Helena Norberg-Hodge shows sustainability both ecological and social and a system that could exist for some time, however; introduction of modernization as a result of globalization has led to disintegration of sustainability in the region.
The interchange of world views and unification has led to imbalance in nature and culture, rural and urban ways and destroyed the ability to endure. Globalization is driven by exploitation of natural resources and consumerism and has led to centralization of activities regionally and worldwide. The economic growth is brought about by industrialization both in technology and agriculture and is leading to irreversible environmental problems from pollution and depletion of natural resources and based on Ancient Futures Ladakh traditional systems appear to be sustainable with ways to survive and adapt without altering culture and nature.
Globalization has also contributed towards divisiveness among people and disintegration of social culture a thing that did not exist in traditional ways of life. Social culture degradation is due to the growing gap between the rich and poor, greed for money and power as well as spread of modernization as the superior way without education on negative impacts of the expansion. Ecological changes impacting on environment brought about by expansion of economies and increase in population and competition to live in limited space in centralized places. The increase in population and synthetic materials has increased pollution from chemicals and limited recycling which was not the case in Ladakh. The fewer population and and their reliance on agriculture ensured recycling of most materials and organic production which is not harmful to the environment.
Social culture degradation, ecological degradation, population increase, poverty are negative effects of globalization. They reduce the ability to adapt and lead to alteration of nature, destruction of the environment and sustainability in attempts to create development. For sustainable development in the future progress, culture and nature must be balanced; development should consider existing systems and improve only what is necessary rather than necessitating things that add no value to people and the environment. A recommendation on social culture preservation is that globalization should aim at integration rather than degradation and education is needed on the risks and benefits of development for choice especially to developing countries. Modernization brought about by globalization should not be rejected but it should be in sync with the existing way of life for creation of sustainable economic, social and environmental systems.
References
Norberg-Hodge, H. Ancient Futures: Learning from Ladakh. Oxford University Press India.
