Globalisation EQ3.9

Ethical and environmental concerns about unsustainability have led to increased localism and awareness of the impacts of a consumer society.

Localism

The idea that food and goods should be grown locally, supporting local jobs and reducing transport, thus being more sustainable rather than being sourced globally

Consumer society

A community that often buys new goods and services and places high value on the ownership of new products

Transition towns

An NGO, the ‘transition network’ encourages towns to grow their own food and reduce energy used in transport

Peak Oil

The theorised point in time where the maximum rate of extraction of petroleum is reached. After this, it is expected to enter terminal decline. As of 2019, this is predicted 2040s.

Totnes, Devon - transition town

The original transition town

Aim to protect the environment + lower reliance on fossil fuels

Aim to create opportunity and equality for all

Totnes pound - Totnes initiative

A local currency introduced into the economy

Stops money leaking out of the local businesses

Scheme closed in 2019 due to cashless society (card)

REconomy centre - Totnes initiative

A shared office space for change makers and remote workers to come together

Affordable, drop in workspace acts as an incubator for startups and community projects

Keeps business and money flow in the local community

Incredible Edible - Totnes initiative

A community garden project ran by volunteers

Re-localises food supply and reduces packaging

Useful during lockdown as people saw what was locally accesible without going to shops

Boosts mental health and is an opportunity to connect with the community

Skill share project - Totnes initiative

A past project

Encouraged locals to offer guidance on topics likely to help increase community resilience

All types of contributions were welcomed as they could be passed on to better the town

Passed on skills from the older to younger generation

Ecological footprint

Measure of the area of biologically productive land and water required to produce goods consumed and to assimilate waste generated. Average US citizen has an ecological footprint of 8 hectares

Ethical and environmental concerns relating to globalisation - Bangladesh

The jeans produced in Bangladesh:

• Growing cotton to make the denim uses 13000l of water

• Leeching of fertilisers

• Bangladesh’s 3.5 million workers earn about £25 a month

• 14-hour days in appalling conditions

• Transportation of goods

• Most cheap jeans last 12-18 months before being discarded

Fair Trade - NGO

Pays farmers of cocoa, cotton, tea and coffee etc, in developing countries a guaranteed price for their produce plus a ‘fair trade premium’ payment

They attempt to reduce the inequalities of global trade

Pros of fair trade

Ensures a fair wage

Boosts community strength

Increases social equality

Encourages sustainability

Improves working conditions and reduces child labour

Cons of fair trade

Benefits farmers but not employed workers

Fairtrade certification requires fees

Requires time and community investment

More expensive products

Products must be globally exported - transport

Buying fair trade may limit options

Forest Stewardship Council - NGO

Founded 1993, Germany, FSC

Logo found on wood products that are sourced from sustainable forest and helps consumers ensure products aren’t contributing to environmental degradation

Recycling

Reduces the extraction of new materials and decreases consumption + the amount of waste sent to landfill

Local councils and recycling

Local governments have the authority to create and enforce regulations to ensure compliance and proper waste management.

Recycling stats

Recycling of household waste in 2021 was 44.6% (an increase from 44.4% in 2020)

Germany has a rate of 65%

Council recycling schemes

Recycling does reduce waste, but councils have different schemes with different results and reducing packaging may be a better way forward

Rate of recycling varies by product as not all are easily recyclable - these are the higher value ones e.g. metal, paper, glass

Keep Britain Tidy - NGO

NGO set up in 1954

In 1969 they introduced the Tidyman logo on bins and packaging to encourage people to dispose of litter appropriately

Their campaigns encourage households to recycle and firms to reduce packaging/the proportion that can be recycled