GLOBALISATION – A Natural Progression

There have been many protests about globalisation in its current format, including the violent protests in London at the G2 Meeting of world leaders. However, when viewed in a larger perspective, globalisation can be seen to be a natural evolutionary progression for the residents of planet Earth.  

When viewed from space, planet Earth is seen as One Planet, and not as a collection of squabbling or competing nations and interests. Our planet can be described as a complete Global Organic Entity with billions of life-forms resident upon it. This is represented by global weather cycles and seasons within Nature, including the natural breeding seasons or cycles.  

There are many positive aspects of globalisation, not the least of these being easier travel and communications across the globe, which includes the global Internet. We have greater potential for expanded global trade, medical care and aid, which reduces poverty and disease in developing countries. In the present state of play, we know that competition is still seen as the main game. The big players play by these rules, which are often the very rules governments have been lobbied to put in place. Fortunately at the G2 Summit we are now seeing government leaders reviewing these rules.  

One of the unfortunate aspects of globalisation is the manipulation of monetary currencies and Stock market shares prices. This has increased as a result of the deregulation of the financial markets and the sheer size of the “blocks” of money roaming the world. The originally intention of deregulation was to provide convenience and flexibility in the flow of money and capital between nations.  

The current global financial crisis is an example of the extremes of irresponsible lending practices and the “on-selling” of financial “derivative debt packages” right around the world. This financial implosion is so complex that it is now undermining financial institutions, and is impacting on the real economy as businesses are affected. The result is that credit is contracting, demand is falling, and job shedding is a result. People are becoming unemployed through no fault of their own. A decade of easy credit and “easy money” has caught out many families and business enterprises who were unprepared for the magnitude of this financial downturn.  

People have become accustomed to a culture of living on credit. The cash credit crisis is now forcing many businesses into receivership or liquidation. Some have stretched themselves far too thinly, and have been left exposed and vulnerable.  

Certainly governments need to act to restore some sanity and responsible financial practices into the global financial systems, in order to protect the real economies of nations, and workers jobs. Corporate business has to change their culture of risk taking and excessive executive pay. A free market system can be a healthy form of enterprise, as long as it isn’t just a “free-for-all” for monopolies and manipulators.

Individuals also need to review their financial habits and practices, as well as their motives. People can apply ethical investment in tandem with manageable lifestyle goals. Earning a living can be distinctly discernable to opting into schemes that accumulate wealth by “the fast buck”.  

Changes are coming that will affect everyone in some way or another. Our way of life has to remain sustainable and productive. We have to earn our living, and not rely on dubious financial “get-rich-quick” schemes that are unsustainable. There are many valuable lessons to be gained during these times. Learning is the outcome of crises.  

However, the answer is not to “reverse” globalisation. This is a simplistic notion. Globalisation is part of a natural evolutionary progression. What we need is “ethical globalisation”. We first need to become responsible global citizens, by “Thinking globally, and acting locally”. This was a great theme that originated in the 1970’s when insightful people were already predicting potential future trends.  Thinking locally is taking responsibility for your own patch.  

Once we become fully aware Global citizens, we can better understand the need for global cooperation. Through cooperation we can adopt practices that can maintain a sustainable eco-system and environment. This has to function in harmony with global commercialism, as well as for individual, family, and local communities. Then we will be capable of true globalisation.  

Globalisation is really the first step to understanding our Greater Universe. However, if we can’t demonstrate that we are responsible Global citizens, then what is the point of asking the question; “Is there anyone out there”. What is the point of sending radio signals into outer space to see if we receive a reply or response from interplanetary “aliens.” If we can’t get our act together managing our own global affairs, and how we sustain our host planet, then who would welcome us to run amok in outer space?  

Planet Earth is our testing ground, our playground, and our platform of evolution. The physical worlds are the “Laboratory of the spirit”. So the current global financial and economic crisis is just one aspect of the test we are facing. The other major one is Climate change. We now have to review the issues of competition, cooperation, clean technologies and transport, and our financial practices, goals, and intent.  

Abundance is everyone’s right, but abundance is relative to needs and not greed. To be creative and to develop and grow is a natural expression. We simply have to look at how we go about this, and what effects and outcomes will be the result.  

So let us look to implement the positive aspects of globalisation, and make changes to any undesirable effects that are a result of misguided policies and practices.  

After all, CHANGES ARE COMING, whether we like it or not. So it is better to move positively and constructively through the changes, rather than struggle against the tide. So the challenge is to expand our thinking and our awareness, and embrace the new horizons of global, and possibly eventually…Universal participation.    

GLOBAL SUSTAINABILITY Part Two   

It has been said by US Astronauts that when viewed from space, our planet looks like a round blue ball. This offers the view that we are indeed a WHOLE planet united by our common boundaries, ecosystem, and humanity.  

It is often forgotten in the pursuit of the dollar, that we all co-exist are part of a cohesive ecology which requires standards of sustainability and conservation.

To maintain this requires balance, moderation and recycling of resources.  

On a recent ABC TV Program, an economist stated the view that the world is nearing the end of two major cycles. One is the push for continued Growth (unsustainable growth), and the other is the Cost of Carbon, which means the increased consumption that is driving carbon production, which in turn causes Global warming, Climate change, and natural disasters.  

“THE TIPPING POINT” : Growth might be necessary to “provide jobs” and to lift the Third world out of poverty, but it has to be SUSTAINABLE GROWTH. Rapid growth has now become so unsustainable that we have reached a “Tipping Point”, where our life support systems will collapse. Climate change is clearly telling us this. We saw on TV news reports that the massive Wilson Ice shelf is breaking off and melting. Serious changes are required urgently  

So if our life-support systems collapse, what will be the point of increased wealth and luxuries? One thing the London G20 Leaders Meeting should now be urgently addressing is to provide clear directives and incentives for sustainable growth in sustainable industries, in any stimulus packages.  

If growth and jobs are to be delivered by destroying the Amazon rainforests to deliver corporate profits and polluting the planet, then it is small wonder that we have a Climate change (Tipping Point) crisis confronting us. Is our Global ecology and global sustainability of lesser importance than producing paper and woodchips? These industries should be supplied by the use of reusable resources such as vegetation by-products or plantation timber.  

Economic stimulus to achieve growth should have clear directives as to where these funds are spent and in what industries. Clean energy and renewable energy industries should be a clear choice, with financial incentives offered to stimulate new enterprises. Of course the coal industry and the oil industry will complain. But the critical choice is do we want a planet that can sustain our livability, or do we want to exist in a parched, polluted continent with extreme weather fluctuations between drought, floods and bush fires?  

Yes, we need growth, but we need sustainable growth, and ethical growth, that acknowledges environmental conservation and places an emphasis on recycling and renewable resources. We also need ethical financial industries.  

NEW TECHNOLOGIES? It is often amusing to hear that our scientists are sending radio signals into outer space in a bid to invite “contact from extra-Terrestrial intelligences”.  

Well if this is the case, what is the intention of the authorities? Is it to ask for advice on how to solve the Climate change problem? Maybe they should be seeking technologies for Electro-Magnetic Propulsion, so we can build new cleaner aircraft that will eradicate pollution from exhaust emissions? These are particularly valid propositions.  

Aircraft pollution in this modern age of increased global travel and tourism is one of the major pollution emitters. Others are coal-fired power stations and motor vehicle exhaust emissions. If we are to combat the effects of Climate change, then major changes need to emerge in our motor vehicle and airline industries.  

TECHNO-GADGETRY: Technology is a great thing is used correctly, and ethically. If not, then it can simply become a companion to global non-sustainability. The excessive use of technological electronic gadgetry only adds to global carbon emissions. This is a result of promoting the very trendy products that require more electricity to operate, which in turn consumes more resources and adds to the carbon pollution and global warming of the planet. 

Do we really need electric toothbrushes for example? Do we need electric hair removers, electric carving knives, and electric leaf blowers which only add to the noise pollution? How many items today are electrically powered? Do we really need all of these superficial luxuries in order to have a comfortable and happy life and lifestyle? Perhaps we need a major review of these things. We could be losing our connection with nature by opting for all these creature comforts. Let’s use technology to further wave power, wind, and solar power.  

EXPECTATIONS: If we as a population are to tackle global warming & global sustainability, there are other larger questions to be posed. One is about our lifestyle. In the Western world (developed countries) there has been a growing trend to demand more, produce more, spend more, and to go into more debt to maintain a consumer/comfort lifestyle. People are building bigger and more luxurious homes, fitted with more and more hi-tech conveniences, gadgetry & commodities. The culture of expectation has been increasing over decades.  

BOOM & BUST: Little wonder then that we have had “boom and bust” cycles in play over many generations. It seems our memory is short-lived from one generation to the next. We fail to pass on the wisdom from previous tough economic experiences, and make the necessary adjustments. People are vulnerable to the next appealing “sucker-play” dreamed up by the marketers.  

QUALITY of LIFE: We do not have to downgrade our standard of living. Quality of Life is an admirable aim. When reviewing lifestyle, one example is luxuries that are unnecessary for normal living. We can resist the compulsive push to “have more”. More is usually bigger, and more costly not only personally, but environmentally. We only need to look at our “disposable society” and all the “disposable” plastic bottles, containers, and the plastic bag waste problem. Another example is our increased consumption of electricity to power our many luxury items. Some of these are of course battery powered, but are often recharged by using mains power anyway.  

Obviously we prefer not to have governments telling us what we should or should not do, or have. So perhaps some personal accountability is needed here. Perhaps governments could take responsibility at a statistical level for a public information campaign, to designate areas which could be targeted to reduce the use of electricity and create power efficiency.  

If demand for the listed items is decreased, then they obviously will gradually be discontinued from manufacture because people won’t buy them, and the excess electricity will not be required to power them. The result = less pollution and less global warming. Jobs can then be transferred to renewable industries.  

ALTERNATIVES: Therefore, alternatives should become the research order of the day. In the 1970’s there were many “Lifestyle Movements” operating which proposed alternatives  for sustainable living. Some of these still operate to this day. These Movements aimed to warn people of possible planetary sustainability issues, and offered some viable alternatives. Today more than ever, these options are more valid, and more urgent than ever before.  

The first priority however is personal integrity in relationship to lifestyle, and the environment. This should not be in a fanatical way, but in a reasonable, balanced, and informed manner. Governments can only do so much, and people resent governments interfering in their lives. However, as in most things, we have the opportunity to create voluntary change in our habits. Otherwise we might find that change is forced upon us in ways we may not like. Climate change is one example. Government regulation is another.  

GLOBAL RECESSION: Recessions and Climate change are a phenomenon which are forcing us to make changes in our perceptions of life, and our use of sustainable resources. Climate change is Nature’s way of reacting to the accumulation of carbon production and unsustainable growth generated over decades. The global recession is forcing us to review our expectations of “wealth Vs abundance”, and financial responsibility. This means reassessing our use of credit and debt and living within our means, rather than unrealistic expectations. Unfortunately, we have reached the Tipping Point where serious change is now being forced upon us if we want to prevent an acceleration into calamitous circumstances.  

The whole world, including global leaders, individual families and businesses, all have to revise our conventional view of “growth” and lifestyle habits, and also address “the cost of our carbon emissions”. Good luck with that. J

Compiled by Eddie Romano.

Resonaction email network.