HUMAN CONNECTIONSUnit II – Chapter 2

HOW ARE YOU INTERCONNECTED WITH THE WORLD?

Make a list of items you have used so far today. Give your best guess as to where these items originated. Using a world map, draw a coloured line from the country where a

product was made ending with the arrow point in Dartmouth, NS. If the country appears more than once, write the number in brackets rather than drawing separate lines.

Next, go around the classroom and find answers to the questionnaire handout.

Using the same world map and the results from your questionnaire, draw a different coloured line from the interconnected country ending with the arrow point in Dartmouth, NS

Assignment: Explain the differences and similarities between the two sets of

lines. What did you learn from this exercise? How might the maps differ in you lived in the North West

Territories? How are these configurations different than they were 50 years

ago?

WHAT IS GLOBAL GEOGRAPHY?

Looks at the earth as a whole Looks at the world as a Global Village – Marshall McLuhan Studies the interdependence between humans and their

physical environments; between global systems and cycles Examines interconnectedness – i.e. Education levels and

economic development and the standard of living Looks at present and emerging trends Studies techniques geographers use Looks at cultural diversity Discusses human impact on the Earth Emphasizes that humans share the Earth with other living

things

THE GLOBAL VILLAGE

Phrase coined by Marshall McLuhan YouTube – McLuhan

The world is shrinking because of advanced transportation and technology

Each of us has greater knowledge of life in other countries

Our lives can impact the Earth and other people in it

We have a responsibility to know how the Earth works, how we affect it and and how we are affected by other life on Earth

INTERDEPENDENCE

relying on mutual assistance, support, cooperation, or interaction among constituent parts or members (Encarta, 2010)

unable to exist or survive without each other (Encarta, 2010) Demand for soccer balls in Halifax may mean an increase

in child labour in Pakistan Increased fossil fuel burning based in consumer demand

for products/energy means global warming which brings about weather change (i.e. highest tides in history – Bay of Fundy 2010

Demands for forest products (lumber, fuel, paper) means deforestation in BC which affects water supplies in US

INTERCONNECTEDNESS

to be joined to something else or to a number of joined things, or make something part of such a network (Encarta, 2010)

to show a relationship between two or more things, or be related (Encarta) Human and cultural activities significantly

impact the Earth but the physical processes and Nature affect where and how these activities take place

Education levels, economic development and standard of living are interconnected

TIME-SPACE CONVERGENCE/DIVERGENCE We measure distance in travel time rather than

actual distance The distance doesn’t change but the time to travel

it does Convergence: Because of advancements in

transportation and communication technology, people, goods and information travel more quickly

Divergence: Advancements mean more people travelling, communicating which increases demands on roads, networks therefore increasing time it takes to travel

GLOBAL INEQUALITY

Gap between rich and poor is growing 20% of the world’s population controls 85% of the

wealth This 20% live in MDCs – most developed countries –

high industrial development; low population growth LDC – less developed countries – low industrial

development; high population growth LLDC – least developed countries – almost no

industrial development; high population growth; annual income of less than $250 annually

North-South Gap – poorest people live in southern hemisphere; richest live in northern

TODAY

Economic growth is #1 priority Global economy has expanded rapidly Natural systems that support it have

not Results: Deforestation, desertification,

climate change

THRESHOLDS

Many of the Earth’s natural systems are in danger of being pushed beyond their levels of stability (threshold)

Once we cross a threshold, we upset the equilibrium (balance)

change occurs rapidly (domino effect)

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Use natural resources to ensure there will be enough for future generations

Harvest natural resources in such a way that environment unharmed

Achieve economic growth and development without harming the environment

COMPONENTS OF SUSTAINABILITY

1. Society2. Environment3. Economy

SOCIETY

How are people’s lives affected? How are cultures affected? Do some people benefit at the expense

of others?

ENVIRONMENT

How are plants and animals affected? How are air, water, and soil affected? What is the long term impact on the

environment?

ECONOMICS

How are local, national and international economies affected?

Are meaningful job opportunities provided?

Is there a long-term economic gain for people and communities?

CARE INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and chemicals

Reduce our dependence on synthetic chemicals that persist in nature

Reduce our destruction of nature Ensure we are not stopping people

globally from meeting their needs (Sustainable Development through Animation, April 2010)

STEPS TO SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

1. Reduce pollution – slow global warming

2. Reforest3. Increase food production4. Decrease population