Unit 9 WHAP Vocab (Technology, Economy, Environment, Reforms, 9/11)

Green Revolution

Also known as the 3rd Agricultural Revolution, refers to a series of research, development & technology transfer initiatives that saw greatly increased crop yields, occurring btwn the 1940s and the late 1970s.

Radio

A technology that uses electromagnetic waves to transmit & receive signals

Television

A technology that transmits & displays moving images & sound

Internet

A global network of interconnected computers that communicate with each other using a common set of protocols

Digital Divide

The gap between those who have access to technology and the internet, and those who don’t

Personal Computer

A computer designed for individual use

Cellular Telephone

Also known as a cell phone/mobile phone, is a portable device that allows you to make and receive calls over a cellular network

Starbucks

An American multinational chain of coffeehouses known for its specialty coffee drinks, pastries & sandwiches (headquartered in Seattle, Washington)

Apple

A multinational technology company that designs, develops, and sells consumer electronics, computer software, and online services (headquartered in Cupertino, California, in Silicon Valley)

Iphone

A line of smartphones designed and marketed by Apple

Smartphone

A mobile phone that has advanced computing capabilities and connectivity features

Social Media

Refers to online platforms that allow users to create and share content, connect with others, and build communities

Genetic Engineering

Also known as genetic modification, is a process of manipulating a cell/organism to change its basic characteristics

Crossbreeding

Is the process of mating two individuals from different breeds or varieties of the same species

Antibiotics

A class of drugs that are used to fight bacterial infections

Birth Control

Also known as contraception, refers to methods or devices used to prevent pregnancy.

Vaccines

Are biological preparations that provide immunity against particular diseases

Penicillin

One of the 1st discovered & most widely used antibiotics

• an antibiotic or group of antibiotics produced naturally by certain blue molds, and now usually prepared synthetically.

Jonas Salk

An American virologist & physician who developed the first polio vaccine

Albert Sabin

Polish-American medical researcher & virologist who developed an oral polio vaccine

Artificial Heart

Is a mechanical device designed to replace a failing human heart

Industrialization

Refers to the process of transitioning from an agrarian society to one based on large-scale manufacturing and industry

Economic Liberalization

The process of reducing government intervention in the economy

World Trade Organization (WTO)

An intergovernmental organization that regulates international trade. It was established in 1995 and headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.

North Atlantic Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)

Established a free-trade zone/agreement between Canada, the US, and Mexico. It was signed and came into effect in 1994.

Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)

Regional intergovernmental organization comprising 10 Southeast Asian countries. It was established in 1967 and is headquartered in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Southeast Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO)

A Cold War-era military alliance established in 1954. It was intended to deter communist expansion in Southeast Asia

General Agreement of Tariffs and Trade (GATT)

A multilateral agreement that aimed to reduce tariffs and other barriers to international trade. It was established in 1947 and served as the foundation for the World Trade Organization

European Union (EU)

A political and economic union of 27 member states that are located primarily in Europe

International Monetary Fund (IMF)

An international organization that aims to promote global financial stability, monetary cooperation, facilitate international trade, promote economic growth & reduce poverty.

G20

A group of 20 major economies that meet annually to discuss global economic and financial issues

Government Subsidies

Are financial or other forms of support provided by a government to a particular industry or sector of the economy. They can take various forms, such as direct payments, tax breaks, or loan guarantees.

Austerity Measures

Economic policies that aim to reduce government spending and/or increase taxes in order to reduce a country’s budget deficit or public debt

Mercosur

Also known as the Southern Common Market, is a trade bloc comprising Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay

Ronald Reagan

The 40th President of the United States, serving from 1981-1989

Protective Tariffs

Taxes imposed on imported goods to make them more expensive than domestically produced goods

Trade War

A situation where countries impose tariffs or other trade restrictions on each other’s goods & services, often in retaliation for similar measures taken by the other country

Margaret Thatcher

Served as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1979-1990

Economic Liberalism

An ideology that promotes free markets, limited government intervention, and individual economic freedom

Free Markets

An economic system where the buying and selling of goods and services take place without significant government control or interference

Augusto Pinochet

Chilean military officer who came to power through a military coup in 1973. He ruled as the dictator of Chile until 1990

Deng Xiaoping

Chinese politician & reformist leader who had significant impact on China’s modernization & economic development. He served as the paramount leader of China from the late 1970s until the early 1990s.

Road and Belt Initiative

Referred to ask the New Silk Road, a global infrastructure development strategy proposed by the Chinese government.

Asian Tigers

Refers to a group of 4 rapidly developing communities in East Asia: Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea & Taiwan. These countries experienced rapid industrialization & economic growth from the 1960s to the 1990s.

Multinational Corporations

Companies that operate in multiple countries & have business activities & operations in various locations around the world

Consumer Culture

Refers to the societal values, behaviors & norms that prioritize the consumption of goods & services

Global Brands

Are well-known and recognized companies or products that have a presence and influence on a global scale

Online Commerce

Refers to the buying and selling of goods and services over the internet

Child Labor

The employment of children in work that is harmful to their physical or mental development

SweatShop Labour

The employment of workers in sweatshops, often in developing countries, under harsh working conditions characterized by low wages, long hours, and poor working conditions

Human Trafficking

A criminal act involving the exploitation of individuals through force, fraud, or coercion for various purposes, such as forced labor, sexual exploitation, or involuntary servitude.

Debt Relief

Refers to various measures and programs aimed at reducing or alleviating the burden of debt for individuals, businesses, or countries. It involves restructuring or forgiving debt payments, negotiating new terms, or providing assistance to help manage and reduce debt

Debt Restructuring

Refers to the process of modifying the terms and conditions of existing debt agreements between a borrower and a lender. It involves changing the repayment schedule or interest rates.

Environmentalism

A movement and ideology that advocates for the protection and preservation of the natural environment

Conservation

The practice of protecting and preserving natural resources, such as forests, wildlife, water, and energy, in order to maintain their sustainable use for future generations.

Romanticism

An artistic, literary, and intellectual movement that emerged in Europe in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. It emphasized individualism, emotion, imagination, and the appreciation of nature.

John Muir

He is often referred to as the “Father of the National Parks”. He is a Scottish-American naturalist, environmental philosopher, and early advocate for the preservation of wilderness in the US

Preservationist

Someone who advocates for the protection and conservation of cultural, historical, or natural resources. They work to safeguard and maintain significant buildings, landmarks, artifacts, or natural areas to ensure their cultural value.

Conservationist

Someone who advocates for the protection and sustainable use of natural resources and the environment. They work towards preserving ecosystems, wildlife, and natural habitats.

Fossil Fuels

Natural resources formed from the remains of ancient plants and animals that lived millions of years ago. Containing materials such as coal, oil, and natural gas.

Renewable Energy

Refers to energy sources that can be replenished naturally and are not depleted with use (solar power, wind power)

Pandemic

A global outbreak of a contagious disease that affects a large # of people across different countries

Smallpox

An infectious disease caused by the variola virus. It is characterized by a high fever & a distinctive rash that spreads throughout the body.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus/HIV

A virus that attacks the immune system, specifically the CD4 cells, which are crucial for fighting off infections. If left untreated, it can lead to Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, which is a condition where the immune system becomes severely compromised.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/AIDS

A condition caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus. When a person’s immune system is severely damaged by HIV, they may develop AIDS.

Malaria

A disease caused by the bite of infected mosquitoes. It is characterized by symptoms such as fever, chills, headache, and muscle aches

Tuberculosis

An infectious disease caused by bacteria called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It primarily affects the lungs but can also target other parts of the body.

Cholera

A bacterial infection caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. It is primarily spread through contaminated water or food, especially in areas with poor sanitation. This infection can cause severe diarrhea and vomiting, leading to dehydration and electrolyte imbalances.

Polio

Short for poliomyelitis, a highly infectious viral disease caused by the poliovirus. It primarily affects children under the age of 5.

Ebola

A severe and often fatal viral disease caused by a virus that infects the African fruit bat & humans. It is characterized by symptoms such as fever, fatigue, muscle pain, headache, and hemorrhaging.

COVID-19

Also known as the coronavirus disease 2019, is a highly contagious respiratory illness. It was 1st identified in Wuhan, China in late 2019 and has since spread globally, leading to a pandemic.

Heart Disease

A range of conditions that affect the heart’s structure and function. It includes various conditions such as coronary artery disease, heart failure, arrhythmias, etc.

Alzheimer’s Disease

A progressive neurological disorder that affects the brain, primarily causing memory loss and cognitive decline. It is the most common cause of dementia.

Deforestation

The widespread clearing or removal of forests, typically for the purpose of converting the land for agricultural, industrial, or urban use

Desertification

The removal of the natural vegetation cover through expansion & intensive use of agricultural lands in arid & semi-arid lands

• The process by which fertile land gradually transforms into desert-like conditions

DDT

A synthetic chemical compound that was widely used as an insecticide in the past

Air Quality

The condition of the air in terms of the presence of pollutants, contaminants, and other substances that may affect human health and the environment

Air Pollution

The presence of harmful substances in the air, known as pollutants, that can negatively impact human health, the environment, and ecosystems

Light Pollution

The excessive or misdirected artificial light that brightens the night sky and interferes with natural darkness

Urbanization

The process of the population shifting from rural areas to urban areas, resulting in the growth and expansion of cities

7 Billion World Population

The current world population is estimated to be around 7 billion people

Greenhouse Gases

The gases in the atmosphere such as CO2 that raise the surface temperature of planets such as the Earth.

Water Scarcity

The condition where there is a lack of sufficient water resources to meet the needs of a particular region or population

Global Warming

Refers to the long-term increase in Earth’s average surface temperature due to human activities, primarily the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation

Carbon Footprint

The amount of carbon dioxide that each person produces

Silent Spring

A book written by Rachel Carson in 1962. It is considered a groundbreaking work that brought attention to the environmental impact of pesticides, particularly DDT, on wildlife and ecosystems.

Greta Thunberg

A Swedish environmental activist who gained international recognition for her efforts to combat climate change

Anthropocene

Reflects the idea that humans are the strongest influence on Earth’s climate and environment, scientists wanted to call this the present time

Holocene

A geological epoch that began approximately 11,700 years ago & continues to the present day

Epoch

A specific period of time that is marked by certain characteristics or events

Earth Day

An annual event celebrated on April 22nd to raise awareness about environmental issues & promote sustainability

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Government agency in the US that is responsible for protecting human health & the environment

Chipko Movement

A grassroots environmental movement that originated in India in the 1970s. It was a nonviolent protest against deforestation & aimed to protect forests from being cut down

Greenpeace

An international environmental organization (founded in Canada in 1971) that focuses on promoting environmental conservation & protection

• it battles deforestation, desertification, global warming, the killing of whales & overfishing.

Wangari Maathai

An inspiring Kenyan environmental activist & Nobel laureate. She founded the Green Belt Movement, an organization focused on environmental conservation & women’s empowerment through tree planting

Sustainable Development

Refers to a way of using resources & managing growth that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs

Ethically Sourced

Refers to products/materials that have been obtained/produced in a manner that aligns w/ ethical standards

Fairtrade Certified

Refers to products that have been produced & traded in accordance w/the principles of fair trade

Conflict Minerals

Minerals that are sourced from regions where armed conflict & human rights abuses are prevalent

Denuclearization

Refers to the process of reducing/eliminating nuclear weapons from a particular region/country