How Globalization Affects Increasing CO2 Outputs Worldwide

Globalization has statistically showed to heed both positive and negative results around the world. Globalization, essentially a more lavish term for Westernization or Industrialization, has brought the energy-consuming habits of the West to developing countries such as China and India. As globalization brings the developed and developing nations closer everyday, the technological gap that had existed for decades between the two sectors is also closing in. From 1850 to 2000, the United States was responsible for nearly 30 percent of worldwide carbon emissions. The European Union was responsible for another 27 percent. On the other side of the spectrum, China accounted for a mere 7.3 percent while India was responsible for only 2 percent. Mind you, these are statistics from before the new millennium; globalization saw its climax after the time period. As China, India, Brazil, and other populous, developing countries are getting its real dibs of cars for the first time, the worldwide CO2 emission output levels are ascending at the rapid pace alike that of globalization.

Adopted on December 11, 1997 and officially put into force on February 16, 2005, the Kyoto Protocol is a protocol to the international Framework Convention on Climate Change with the objective of reducing greenhouse gases in an effort to prevent climate change. As of May 2008, 182 nations have ratified the protocol. The intriguing thing to note is that the United States has not. Also, countries classified as 'developing' by the UN such as China and India are not obligated to cap their emission standards. The progress of many countries that have ratified it are also not progressing well in meeting the goals. For example, Canada's goal is to cut emission output by 6 percent below 1990 levels by 2012. As of 2005, it recorded a 20 percent increase in emission output from 1990 levels. Other countries such as Japan have recorded increases instead of the intended decreases. In retrospect, the Kyoto Protocol has not progressed well so far and globalization is the only valid reason for this growing phase of global warming.

Pictured: 2008 Tata Nano - The 1-lakh ($2500) car by Tata that will cater to millions of families in India who traveled around in motorcycles, rickshaws, and scooters. Ratan Tata, the CEO of Tata, dubs this "The People's Car." While this car will significantly ameliorate the lifestyle of many Indian people, it is also frowned upon by many as it will drastically raise the number of cars on Indian roads and the overall emission output India produces.