VCE Politics - Unit 3 AOS 1: Blurb, KK1 & 2 (Short Term Causes & Global Interconnectedness)

Greenhouse effect - Fundamental Cause

• Certain gases act like glass in a greenhouse

• Traps sun heat and causes global warming

• Human activity is responsible for significant increase in these gases

• Three main short term causes are burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and transportation

Burning Fossil Fuels

• Include coal, oil, and gas

• These fuels emit CO2, a key greenhouse gas

• Emission of CO2 increased from 187 million tones in 1850, to 6 billion tones in 1950, to 38 billion tones in 2024

Deforestation

• Cutting down trees and forests

• Trees absorb and store CO2. When they are cut down, CO2 is released into atmosphere

• Nearly 10 million of hectares of forests are cut down annually (mainly in tropics)

• About 10% of CO2 emissions are caused by deforestation

Transportation

• Responsible for 25% of greenhouse gas emissions. Include cars, sea transport, air transport, shipping, trains, trucks, and motorbikes.

• Fastest rate of growth is in developing countries where more people are able to afford transportation for first time.

Global Interconnectedness - Definition

refers to the intricate web of interactions and interdependencies that link countries, societies, and individuals across the world.

Global Interconnectedness - Explanation

Impact of GI

• The relationship between GI and CC can at times be contradictory

• Both positive effects on reducing CC impacts, and negative ones that have directly and indirectly contributed to CC

Positive Impacts

• Facilitated international cooperation within global governance regimes, which have attempted to make states collaborate and interact with each other.

• Eg in 2023 the UNGA passed a resolution supported by more than 130 states.

• GI promoted knowledge sharing and influence of NGOs. These NGOs can connect with one another

Negative Impacts

• Increase in transportation of goods and services. Past, they were mainly made and consumed locally. Now, GI had led to free trade agreements and expansion of trade routes between states.

• Farther they travel, greater the emissions

• GI has accelerated comparative advantage economic model, which leads to developed states moving production to developing states with weaker environmental protections.