Mains Practice Questions

Introduction

Globalization, the process of increased interconnectedness and interdependence of world economies, cultures, and populations, has profoundly reshaped geographical processes worldwide.

• The scale of this phenomenon is evident in the dramatic rise of global trade, which has grown from about 25% of world GDP in the 1960s to over 60% in recent years.

Body

Geographical Challenges of Globalization:

• Climate Change and Environmental Degradation: Globalization has accelerated climate change through increased carbon emissions from global trade and transportation.
  • The shipping industry alone contributes about 3% of global greenhouse gas emissions.
  • Deforestation for global agricultural demand, such as Amazon rainforest clearing for soybean production, exacerbates this issue.
• Resource Depletion: The global demand for resources has led to overexploitation, threatening ecosystems worldwide.
  • Decades of destructive fishing has resulted in the precipitous decline of key fish stocks such as Bluefin tuna and Grand Banks cod
  • Freshwater resources are under strain due to increased agricultural and industrial demands as seen in California Central Valley.
• Uneven Development and Spatial Inequalities: Globalization has concentrated economic activities in certain regions, leading to geographical disparities.
  • This is evident in the growth of megacities in developing countries (like Bengaluru), causing rapid rural-urban migration and urban sprawl.
  • The development of special economic zones creates pockets of prosperity, while gentrification in global cities leads to spatial segregation and displacement of local populations.
• Energy Security and Resource Conflicts: Competition for energy resources has intensified, leading to geopolitical tensions.
  • Competition over Arctic oil and gas resources, newly accessible due to melting ice, highlight this challenge.
  • Conflicts over rare earth minerals, essential for modern technologies, have also emerged as a geographical consequence of globalization.

Geographical Opportunities of Globalization

• Enhanced Connectivity and Infrastructure Development: Globalization has spurred the development of transportation infrastructure to support global trade.
  • The India-Middle East-Europe Corridor is a prime example. This trend has led to the expansion and modernization of ports, airports, and rail networks worldwide, as well as the development of smart cities and digital infrastructure.
• New Resource Exploration and Sustainable Resource Management: Technological advancements have made previously inaccessible resources available.
  • Exploration of alternative energy sources like geothermal and tidal energy represent new opportunities arising from globalization.
• Regional Economic Integration and Cross-border Cooperation: Globalization has facilitated the formation of economic blocs and free trade areas.
  • The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) - the world's largest free-trade area is a prime example.
  • This trend has also led to the development of transboundary conservation initiatives like Peace Parks in Southern Africa.
• Geographical Indication Tags and Global Market Access: Globalization has enhanced the recognition and protection of local products through Geographical Indication (GI) tags.
  • For example, Darjeeling Tea from India, Champagne from France, and Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese from Italy have gained international recognition and premium status in global markets due to their GI tags

Conclusion

Globalization has indelibly altered the geographical fabric of the world, presenting a dichotomy of challenges and opportunities. As geographical processes continue to evolve under the influence of globalization, our ability to adapt and respond collectively will determine the shape of our shared global geography in the years to come.