Environmental Concern throughout the World

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Let's take a closer look through discussion, research and examples, for you to consider for your final 400-word paper.

RESPONSE:

1. Choose an environmental issue that is a major concern today and look at it from the standpoint of First, Second, and Third World countries. Explain why environmental issues must be viewed as a global concern.

It is generally agreed that most global warming is the result of air pollution from developed countries. Although underdeveloped (third, etc.) countries usually create less pollution than developed countries, they suffer from the resultant global warming, which is felt worldwide. Thus, perhaps, the developed (first world) countries should therefore cover the costs of combating global warming and expected emission deduction in the third world countries. Not everyone agrees to the definitions or categories of first, second, and third world countries, but the following seem fairly common:

The term "First World" refers to so called developed, capitalist, industrial countries, roughly, a bloc of countries aligned with the United States after World War II, with more or less common political and economic interests: North America, Western Europe, Japan and Australia. (For the countries of the "First World" click URL: http://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/first_world.htm). "Second World" refers to the former communist-socialist, industrial states, (formerly the Eastern bloc, the territory and sphere of influence of the Union of Soviet Socialists Republic) today: Russia, Eastern Europe (e.g., Poland) and some of the Turk States (e.g., Kazakhstan) as well as China (for the countries of the "Second World" click URL:http://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/second_world.htm). And, the "Third World" are all the other countries, today often used to roughly describe the developing countries of Africa, Asia and Latin America. The term Third World includes as well capitalist (e.g., Venezuela) and communist (e.g., North Korea) countries as very rich (e.g., Saudi Arabia) and very poor (e.g., Mali) countries (for the countries of the "Third World" click http://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/third_world.htm).

GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES: GREENHOUSE EFFECT

Globally, the greenhouse effect is important, but different countries react differently to the effect (e.g., global warming). For example, without the greenhouse effect, the Earth would not be warm enough for humans to live. But if the greenhouse effect becomes stronger (as it has been and still is), it could make the Earth warmer than usual. Even a little extra warming may cause problems for humans, plants, and animals. http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/kids/greenhouse.html Therefore, ...