world issues unit 1 test

bias

the presentation of an issue from a single point of view, can be determined by language

carrying capacity

the amount of people we can sustain

• increases thanks to technological advancements (healthcare, agriculture)

• will decrease as nonrenewable resources are depleted and renewable resources deteriorate through overuse/abuse

global commons

refers to areas or regions which are outside the exclusive jurisdiction of the nation states and requires common governance and management internationally

• atmosphere, antarctica, high seas, outer space

tragedy of the commons

dilemma that develops when a group shares a limited resource

• “if i didn’t do it, somebody else would”

• individuals take big rewards while sharing the consequences with others

ethnocentrism

occurs when the behaviour of another society or group is judged by the standards of one’s own society or group

globalization

the process of countries and people becoming more connected and interdependent on each other through trade, communication, and cultural exchange.

old core

most globalized, most developed and powerful, advanced economy, healthcare, and political and social freedom

• france, UK

new core

almost caught up, not quite as rich or democratic but are striving towards old core values

• china, russia

near core (periphery)

with continued economic, social, and political growth, they have the potential to join the core in a few decades

• vietnam, egypt

far periphery

little evidence of transition towards political, economic, or social development, little contribution to globalization

• somalia, haiti

north

temperate countries that are more industrialized, rich with high literacy rates, GDP, and life expectancy

• russia, USA, UK

south

tropic countries with little to no industrialization, low literacy rates, GDP, and life expectancy

• ethiopia, bangladesh, haiti

issue with north vs south classification

doesn’t allow for movement as it’s based on location

first world

highest level of social and economic development

• canada, US, UK, japan

second world

countries that are advanced in the transition into stronger economies

• brazil, mexico, malaysia

third world

countries in the early stages of transition towards more economic and social development

• egypt, ecuador, indonesia

fourth world

show little evidence of starting the transition towards social and economic development of the 1st world

• haiti, bangladesh, ethiopia

gaia hypothesis

created by James Lovelock, the Earth is a single living system in which all parts must work together to balance each other to create life

• live in harmony with Mother Nature to keep the planet healthy

HDI

human development index, measure used to compare the quality of life in different countries by looking at life expectancy, education, and income

problem with HDI

It does not account for income inequality within countries, nor does it consider environmental sustainability or cultural factors.

GINI index

measure of income inequality in a country

problem with the GINI index

It may not capture the full extent of poverty (doesn’t look at reasons of inequality) or the overall well-being of citizens

GDP

gross domestic product, total value of all goods and services produced in a country in 1 year

problem with GDP

It does not account for income distribution, environmental degradation, or unpaid work, which can give a skewed view of a country's overall economic health and citizen well-being.

limits to growth

There are finite resources on Earth, and continued economic growth will ultimately lead to environmental and social collapse.

ecological overshoot

occurs when human demand exceeds the regenerative capacity of a natural ecosystem, resulting in resource depletion and environmental degradation.

what is an issue?

a long-standing, complex problem involving many parts of the world that has more than one “correct” solution

steps of an issue

1. complex causes and therefore complex issue

2. interrelated political, environmental, economic, cultural/social components

3. groups of people who are durectly involved with an issue with different points of view = stakeholders

4. groups/people in disputes because they can’t resolve differences

5. people unwilling to compromise

6. scope = local, national, global implications

scope the issue: how?

1. is the issue local, national, or global?

2. are there connections among the three levels?

3. are the causes of this issue local, national, or global?

4. how does this issue impact the Earth, people, flora, fauna?

5. during what time period is the issue of concern?

6. what individuals or groups are involved and why?

7. what are the implications of this issue?

spatial significance

the unique nature and importance of a place, what is where? why there? why care?

patterns and trends

characteristics are repeating in the natural or human environment (pattern) or traits that increase, decrease, or stay constant overtime (trend)

interrelationships

connections within and between natural and human environments

• human to human

• human to nature

• nature to human

• nature to nature

PEECS

political, economic, environmental, cultural, and social implications of an issue