224
areas and communities are connected globally and such connections are crossing over
borders.
(a) Multinational/transnational companies.
(b) Trade networks.
(c) Traffic networks.
(d) Tourism networks.
(e) Information networks. This is the central
layer from which all other layers are “fed”
and from which all other layers can be
reached.
(f) Settlement networks, especially city
networks.
(g) Civil society networks.
(h) Migration routes and directions.
All the above are present simultaneously and
operate in close connections forming structures
too complex to be mapped. Figure 5.11 is only a
symbolic reflection on the multi-layering of the
human society. The current structure aims to
meet the demands of 7.5 billion people, diverse
both in material and spiritual terms—with moderate success. The relationship of the society with
nature cannot be regarded a success either.
One of the greatest deficiencies of the operation of the global society is the lack of an effective
global brake system in order to control the internal operation (connections between individuals
and also between groups of people) and to impede
degrading the environment and prevent its drawbacks. No matter how the interconnectivity of the
global society grows, numerous factors block
sustainable development.
In the followings the most important social
processes that rather impede than aid the realisation of sustainable development are briefly
discussed.
Despite growing interconnectivity demand for
national self-government and independence is
increasing in many countries (efforts for independence and autonomy of Scots, Catalans, Kurds,
etc.). The higher the number of units and separate
interest groups is in the global society the more
difficult it will be to solve common (global)
problems.
The realisation of sustainable development is
further hindered by the strengthening of nationalist groups, trends and measures in certain countries, like one of the leader countries of the world,
the USA and a trade war is about to be coming
the
effects
of
which
are
against
interconnectivity.
No easing in the threats of religious opposition can be seen either (e.g. Nigeria: Christian—
Islam). Its grade is sometimes strong even within
certain religions (Iraq: Shia—Sunni).
Waste production and pollutant emission of
production companies are regulated by national
law. This encourages multinational companies to
establish subsidiary companies in countries
where environmental regulations are less strict as
in this way, they can save some money on environmental investment. This contributes to that air
pollution in emerging countries is almost unbearable while their economy increases rapidly.
Cheap labour typical in less developed countries
is also attractive for multinational companies
who maintain social tension between employees
of the parent company and the subsidiary company with their salary policy.
Construction of mega-infrastructure often
cause enormous damage to the environment:
destructing habitats, dividing ecological networks (fragmentation) and then these increase
environmental pollution via their operation (e.g.
intensifying transport). (The grade of environmental pollution depends on the technical solutions applied).
Spreading of trade networks influences the
global exploitation of natural resources, the
development of traffic network, the growing
amount of transported goods, the length of transport and thus the increasing emission of traffic.
The same effects are intensified by the rapid
growth of mass tourism. According to data of
2016 the total number of visitors arriving to the
tourism regions in international tourism was
1235 million people. According to estimations
this value will reach 1561 million by 2020 while
the length of route taken by a single tourist will
increase even faster. The environmental load is
increased not only by traffic emission growing
parallel but by the waste produced by the visitors,
their direct environmental pollution and often
senseless (over)consumption as well. Lenzen
5 Structure and Operation of the Global Society (Anthroposphere)
areas and communities are connected globally and such connections are crossing over
borders.
(a) Multinational/transnational companies.
(b) Trade networks.
(c) Traffic networks.
(d) Tourism networks.
(e) Information networks. This is the central
layer from which all other layers are “fed”
and from which all other layers can be
reached.
(f) Settlement networks, especially city
networks.
(g) Civil society networks.
(h) Migration routes and directions.
All the above are present simultaneously and
operate in close connections forming structures
too complex to be mapped. Figure 5.11 is only a
symbolic reflection on the multi-layering of the
human society. The current structure aims to
meet the demands of 7.5 billion people, diverse
both in material and spiritual terms—with moderate success. The relationship of the society with
nature cannot be regarded a success either.
One of the greatest deficiencies of the operation of the global society is the lack of an effective
global brake system in order to control the internal operation (connections between individuals
and also between groups of people) and to impede
degrading the environment and prevent its drawbacks. No matter how the interconnectivity of the
global society grows, numerous factors block
sustainable development.
In the followings the most important social
processes that rather impede than aid the realisation of sustainable development are briefly
discussed.
Despite growing interconnectivity demand for
national self-government and independence is
increasing in many countries (efforts for independence and autonomy of Scots, Catalans, Kurds,
etc.). The higher the number of units and separate
interest groups is in the global society the more
difficult it will be to solve common (global)
problems.
The realisation of sustainable development is
further hindered by the strengthening of nationalist groups, trends and measures in certain countries, like one of the leader countries of the world,
the USA and a trade war is about to be coming
the
effects
of
which
are
against
interconnectivity.
No easing in the threats of religious opposition can be seen either (e.g. Nigeria: Christian—
Islam). Its grade is sometimes strong even within
certain religions (Iraq: Shia—Sunni).
Waste production and pollutant emission of
production companies are regulated by national
law. This encourages multinational companies to
establish subsidiary companies in countries
where environmental regulations are less strict as
in this way, they can save some money on environmental investment. This contributes to that air
pollution in emerging countries is almost unbearable while their economy increases rapidly.
Cheap labour typical in less developed countries
is also attractive for multinational companies
who maintain social tension between employees
of the parent company and the subsidiary company with their salary policy.
Construction of mega-infrastructure often
cause enormous damage to the environment:
destructing habitats, dividing ecological networks (fragmentation) and then these increase
environmental pollution via their operation (e.g.
intensifying transport). (The grade of environmental pollution depends on the technical solutions applied).
Spreading of trade networks influences the
global exploitation of natural resources, the
development of traffic network, the growing
amount of transported goods, the length of transport and thus the increasing emission of traffic.
The same effects are intensified by the rapid
growth of mass tourism. According to data of
2016 the total number of visitors arriving to the
tourism regions in international tourism was
1235 million people. According to estimations
this value will reach 1561 million by 2020 while
the length of route taken by a single tourist will
increase even faster. The environmental load is
increased not only by traffic emission growing
parallel but by the waste produced by the visitors,
their direct environmental pollution and often
senseless (over)consumption as well. Lenzen
5 Structure and Operation of the Global Society (Anthroposphere)