GLOBAL INTEGRATION: ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES

Globalization is the process by which different societies, cultures, and regional

economies integrate through a worldwide network of political ideas through
transportation, communication, and trade. Generally, globalization has affected many
nations in various ways; economically, politically, and socially. It is a term that refers
to the fast integration and interdependence of various nations, which shapes the world
affairs on a global level. Globalization has affected the products people consume, the
environment, culture, security, and idea exchange between different countries. There
are many factors that lead to the speedy globalization trends. This acceleration in
globalization can be attributed to an increase in free-trade activities, emerging
technologies, or the worldwide acceptance of markets.
Globalization has affected cultures and economies on matters dealing with
environmental destruction and availability of the already limited resources.
Globalization has had diverse implications for environmental issues such as,
pollution, deforestation, water resources climate change, and biodiversity loss. The
rampant environmental problems have become the subject of international efforts
because the effects are felt globally. The negative impacts of globalization focus on
the destruction on the environment that is export-oriented. On the other hand, the
positive impacts are the multinational companies' research into technology that is
eco-friendly and an increase in environmental awareness.
A major impact of globalization on the environment is that, there is an
improvement on the use of resources and the awareness of environment degradation.
Due to issues dealing with globalization, a lot of research is being carried out on
progressing greener technology, which will replace current ones that harm the
environment. Globalization has also helped in the improvement of resources to save
the environment by the promotion of growth through improvement of incomes and
education. For example, the World Bank aided Mexico in reducing unhealthy ozone
days during the 1990s. Moreover, multinational companies are on the forefront
creating technologies that will reduce their adverse effects on the environment. For
example, hybrid cars are being developed that will economize fuel, as well as, lower
gaseous emissions to the environment. Apple is also aim at manufacturing products
that are eco-friendly.
Unfortunately, the negative impacts of globalization have outweighed the
positive effects. On a global level, natural resources are being overused. This is
because there has been a rise in demand and ecosystem removal, as a result of
population growth. The need for disposable products has caused logging to be on the
increase, which result into extensive deforestation. About half of the indigenous
forests that covered the earth in the past have been depleted. Deforestation is on the
increase year by year. Moreover, over-fishing is also becoming a global problem. A
study by the United Nations reveals that commercial species of fish have been over-
exploited.
Globalization has also affected negatively the environment through global
warming. This is as a result of greenhouse gas emissions caused by rapid
industrialization in the developing world, and a heavy dependence on fossil fuels. The
average global temperatures have increased tremendously over the past years. In
addition, the transport sector and gases from factories have immensely contributed to
global warming.
Globalization has been a scientific debate concerning structural change in the
earth's ecology; it has in the past become a controversy. There has been linkage
between environmental decay, trade and support, government, and globalization.
Activities that are required for industry and trade use a lot of energy resources. The
misuse of these resources causes air pollution, acid rain or global warming.
Globalization affects education in that, the direction and objectives that
education had previously, has to change. The idea that education is a public service
has to be abandoned. It has been replaced with the idea that education is at the service
of economies; that is as a personal investment. International organizations have
increasingly become involved with the educational sector. Recently, the World Trade
Organizations and the World Bank have proposed the privatization of this sector.
These policies aim at adapting the contents of education globally to the needs of
employment. They also aim at creating an education system that is efficient and
profitable.
 There has been a massive spread in education at all levels. The consequences
of schools that are widely available are as a result of the globalization process. As
part and parcel of globalization, education is seen as a factor that contributes a lot to
democracy on a global level. The different forces that affect globalization have
tremendously affected the operations of educators. Moreover, it has affected the
experience associated with formal and informal sector. For example, some schooling
institutions have become the targets for various corporate expansion, as well as, sites
for branding. Many policies that affect the educational sector are directed towards
markets.
Globalization has made education look like a private affair, and no longer
public. This marketization process has led to privatization of the educational sector in
a number of nations. In the United States, higher education has been seen to be a
lucrative market for privatization. Various State schools have been contracted out to
various companies that are private.
Globalization has affected the nature of the agencies that people go to school.
There have been numerous changes in educational technologies. Distance learning
has grown tremendously, and there is more use of internet and other computer forms.
This advancement in technologies allows people from different nations to participate
in the same programs; student contact can be across far distances.
Various educational systems have undergone a transition in response to the
impacts of technology and globalization. Educators and policy makers need to put in
place models that take advantage of the opportunities and challenges brought about
by globalization. It is vital to note that, global initiatives have affected the roles of
universities in the economy, community colleges, decentralization, and the curricula .
With globalization on the rise, many aspects have to change for the well-being
of the global village. The forces that push globalization pose new challenges to
education in lifelong training of students in schools and universities. Many policy
makers and governments should ask themselves: To what extend is education affected
by globalization? How is it changing the conditions of the existing educational
systems?
 With all these in mind, globalization seems to affect education by transforming
the teaching and learning processes. The most significant question is how is the
current move toward economic restructuring affecting educational systems globally?
While, education seems to be a key factor in globalization, what role does education
play in shaping values, attitudes, and understanding of a citizen, who is multicultured
and part of the cosmopolitan world? In order to meet the existing challenges
presented by globalization, individuals should be prepared to work in a changing
environment, with constant networking.
Globalization has affected human health and development in a number of
ways; some positive while others are negative. The liberalization of trade in
agricultural products leads to economic benefits in poorer countries that are short
term. This will then improve the human health depending on the equitability of the
allocation of these benefits. Globalization has reshaped the social arena that nations
get involved in prevention of disease or improvisation of health. Health problems
have crossed over national boundaries. It is due to cooperation on a global level that
such issues may be affected.
The impact of globalization on health is in various forms. With globalization,
harmful products can bring disastrous implications worldwide. There is an increase in
the free trade of foods, drugs, medicine and other forms of substances that pose
damages to health. Moreover, with efficiency in cross-border communications, the
health sector has remained to be a benefit in the use of e-mail and internet.
Information and knowledge dealing with health matters are free, which facilitates
telemedicine and telehealth.
Globalization can be used for advancements in health. The increased
cooperation between countries is very effective in the event of arresting the spread of
diseases that are communicable in nature. On the other hand, by harmonizing food
and drug standards and regulations, developing nations end up benefitting in health
issues. . Some discussions focusing on globalization effects on health have pointed
out the fear that, the increase in migration of people from poorer countries into
developed nations creates a complex issue in healthcare systems.
 In conclusion, globalization is a serious issue that affects many nations.
Researchers should analyze these impacts carefully so as to prevent the negative
impacts. It is essential to note that the force behind globalization cannot be stopped. It
is therefore essential that all nations create forms of globalization that are
environmentally and socially sustainable. These forms should be more beneficial to
all humanity and reduce costs. Indirect impacts of globalization on health operate
through the national economy, for example, effects of trade liberalization, and the
financial flows on resources for health expenditures. Direct affecting of globalization
on health is on health systems, as well as, policies of multilateral trade signings and
agreements.