Before starting this course, I have very little understanding of sustainability and its impact on globalization. My curiosity about sustainability led me to demonstrate in-depth sustainability as at some point, I felt that it is necessary to last things that already exist and create things that can last.
I have encountered the fact that cutting-edge globalization is a form of capital expansion with sustainability glued into it. For me, the significant aspects of globalization on sustainability are achieved through Dunphy’s stages: rejection, non-responsiveness, compliance, efficiency, compliance, efficiency, strategic, and sustaining. This might perhaps change the thinking of a business that allows them to think systematically. According to McKinsey Global Institute (2019), they identify a sustainable vision that would plot the strategy to reach the goal. Ultimately, they would look at nature for inspiration. Collaboration with the stakeholders and external experts could help to ensure the sustainability plans. Likewise, more companies will be keen to join. Moreover, the business could seek support from minded stakeholders. This would also empower employees to engage with the desired changes. I have been working as a part-timer in an organization which promotes the sustainability of items. It has also allowed me to share ideas, culture, and experience. I have been actively following the 3R principle: Recycle, Reduce, Reuse.
Globalization on the rise has raised concerns about its negative effects. I found that globalization is linked with the exportation of technologies and activities that can impact the ecosphere. For example- the globalization of metal recovery technologies has had major impacts in the earth’s crust. Secondly, the burning issue of fossil fuel for the production of human needs and goods. Initially, I did not realize the burning of more fossil fuels would increase carbon dioxide which violates sustainability principles. This means putting the balance of nature in danger. Third, I found out the impact of technology and e-waste. Initially, I did not feel my concern for e-waste. Later, I realized that every year billions of electronic products are manufactured.
What I was unaware of was a sustainable future needs the interconnection of environment, society, and economy commonly called the triple bottom line. This can be viewed in the ‘bullseye’ model and the ‘Mickey Mouse’ model. For me, the most useful idea of this model is broadening business value by focusing on social and environmental measures.
Initially, I felt that companies are using natural resources and raw materials for the manufacturing and production of products all the time. later I questioned myself, if the use of energy resources is not efficient, if greenhouse gas emissions are polluting the environment, if oil spill accidents are contaminating the sea, oceans, and lands, and if an ecological system gets disturbed because of business operations, then who is responsible? Having read about the environmental impact, I now know if we perform sustainable activities for the sake of our environment, it gives us an upper hand over the competitors. Furthermore, I learned that modern technology should be environment friendly. I have slightly improved my understanding of the environment. This means that I have banned 80% of the activities that can impact the environment. In the same way, the social impact is directly related to the people. Subsequently, I noticed a company using the triple bottom line has a responsibility to not only shareholders but also employees, vendors, customers, the community where it does business, and anyone else impacted by the organization, whether directly or indirectly. Furthermore, I have learned that social impact recognizes the interdependency of all the human relationships and interactions that enable the company to operate. This means that it can translate into actions such as providing quality healthcare benefits and flexible work schedules to employees, offering opportunities for professional or educational advancement, creating a safe work environment, and engaging in fair labor practices. Likewise, the useful learning for me arose from economic impact. All companies are concerned about their financial standing, but businesses committed to the triple bottom line look at profits in terms of not just what they can do for shareholders, but also how they can help the broader community. Most importantly I have learned that corporate sustainability measures the ability to be in business indefinitely, based on our impact on the environment, relationship to the community, and contribution to the economy. Unlike the traditional method, the Triple Bottom Line allows one to see business as a social and environmental entity and measure it along these parameters.
I found out that the triple bottom line is simply a reporting tool, so it is not going to improve society or protect the environment. Additionally, I have learned that it can drive change because both people and the planet benefit when a company decides to adopt a socially responsible model. For instance, Better World Books (2018) sells used books and donates a portion of the profits to help fund literacy programs and libraries. It has raised more than $28 million for literacy programs and kept millions of used books out of landfills while creating hundreds of jobs in the process.
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Sustainable consumption uses products and services in a way that minimizes the impact on the environment so that human needs can be met not only in the present but also for future generations. The sustainable product involves reusable items like- biogas, coffee cups, drink bottles, and accessories. Victorian Recycling Industry Annual Report (2017/18) explains that 88% of the total recyclable items are processed in Australia and the rest are sent overseas. For me, the useful experience was disposing of the coffee cups and drink bottles in the recycled product. I was much more relieved to be able to put my effort into making eco-friendly world. However, sustainability should not just be about solving social and environmental challenges. Unlike traditional business, modern business should follow the path of smart business that accounts for sustainability. For me, the most useful learning resulted from the contribution I have made. This might be because of awareness about raising green. Having learned about the green revolution, I now question “Does the what importance does it have on natural resources? Energy resources? Financial resources? and Social resources?”, “Why pay millions to go to Mars when we can use the same money to rebuild Earth?” The argument does not seem to stop here. Sustainable consumption of the Earth's resources could be an advantage to human existence. I believe that the vast inter-connected relation between the environment and social factors is vital. What l like about myself now is that I use recyclable things more than any other. This makes me realize my contribution to sustainability is equally important. Recently I watched a video about Greta Thunberg at the Climate Action Summit. In a 4-minute video, she has requested the entire world to focus on climate change. This adds a message to sustainability that if people do not stop the consumption of limited sources there would be more than death coming our way i.e. extinction. Her words have put me back alive. Imagine all people would have thought like her, there would not be further action necessary to save our home.
One area I was completely unaware of was my use of leather products. Each year many innocent animals are being killed for leather products. When I read about it, I felt very sad about myself being happy for the choice I have made in the past. I have now completely stopped purchasing any product made of leather. I felt that animals have equal rights as humans to live freely on this earth. What I did not realize in the previous was their existence is essential for ours. It has made me reconsider my choices and I will not be purchasing anything that slaughters animals for human needs.
I use an ecological footprint calculator to see if I am using the resources in the right way or not. When I did all the calculations, my ecological footprint is a real eye-opener. If everyone lived like me, we would need 2.6 planets to survive (EPA Victoria, 2012). There would be more destruction of green forests with land full of pollution. A total estimation of 7 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions in tonnes per year. The overall future looks very dull and lifeless as there would be few animals and plants left to enjoy. I wanted to compare mine with other, so I invited my brother and gave him to calculate his footprint. It was interesting to see our differences in lifestyle. His number of planets required was 4.6 which alternatively was 2 earth more than me. This made me realize that Americans have a much higher consumption level than Australians and therefore pollution the environment, especially in the long run.
Many third-world countries are growing towards economies to become stable but if all countries become like China, Australia, and the United States then the consequences in unimaginable. It likely seems unfair that developed countries need more earth to live in while developing countries still fighting with starvation and water scarcity. The world has already entered an economic war but if there is no mutual agreement with all the nations then the imbalance could wipe out the existence of humanity shortly.
Having discussed globalization and sustainability, I now feel there is a need for environmental sustainability. I have learned that substances from the earth’s crust must not systematically increase in the ecosphere. This means that fossil fuels, metals, and other materials must not be extracted at a faster pace. This knowledge is essential to me as a learner because this would help me to act wisely on sustainability. Additionally, I have learned that the emission of carbon must not increase in the atmosphere. This understanding will be useful to me as a practitioner because I could use the product that emits more carbon. However, I have not sufficiently improved my knowledge of e-waste because it is not included in the course. This makes me feel that I need to have more knowledge about such issues with the use of the internet. Having analyzed the fact about the triple bottom line, I now realize that it has changed the way businesses, non-profits, and governments measure sustainability and the performance of projects or policies. Beyond the foundation of measuring sustainability on three fronts-people, planets, and profits- the flexibility of the TBL allows organizations to apply the concept in a manner suitable to their specific needs. To my concern, I believe that the sustainable consumption of resources should be brought into practice. The revolution to an eco-friendly world is very important as it helps in balancing the Earth’s resources. Imagine if every person follows the concept of sustainability there will not be more pollution and more exploitation of natural resources. Rather than using animal-related products, we could use eco-friendly products. Numerous products are in the market which are less expensive than other products. They certainly need the right marketing. Sustainability is essential in our life. We tend to create something that lasts which is the goal of sustainability. Following the 3R principle could also aid in protecting natural resources.
As a next step, I will be changing a few things in my life to try and consider my impact on our long-term future that accounts sustainability.
- Better World Books. 2018. https://about.betterworldbooks.com/impact/ retrieved on 29/05/2020
- EPA Victoria (2012). Ecological Footprint Calculator https://www.footprintcalculator.org/result1 retrieved on 29/5/2020
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9KxE4Kv9A8 retrieved on 28/05/2020
- Mckinsey Global Institute. 2019. Globalization in Transition: The Future Of Trade and Value Chains https://www.mckinsey.com/~/media/mckinsey/featured%20insights/innovation/globalization%20in%20transition%20the%20future%20of%20trade%20and%20value%20chains/mgi-globalization%20in%20transition-the-future-of-trade-and-value-chains-full-report.ashx retrieved on 28/05/2020
- Victorian Recycling Industry Annual Report, 2017/18 file:///C:/Users/bista/AppData/Local/Packages/Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe/TempState/Downloads/Victorian%20Recycling%20Industry%20Annual%20Report%202017%2018%20(1).pdf retrieved on 29/5/2020
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