226
et al. (2018) analysing the data of 160 countries
drew the conclusion that the carbon footprint of
global tourism increased from 3.9 to 4.5 GT CO 2
between 2009 and 2013 and reaches 8% of global
GHG emission.
Unregulated fields of international trade
together with illegal trade present a significant
threat to natural values: e.g. illegal elephant bone
trade intensifies the decline of elephant populations while the illegal trade of protected plant and
animal species may contribute to the extinction
of the species. Illegal trade of tropical forest trees
changes habitats contributing to the possible
extinction of numerous lower species, etc.
The advancing digital world seems to be beneficial from environmental point of view, however, a new, hazardous waste type, electronic
waste is produced in an enormous and growing
quantity. Rapid development (Moore’s rule,
according to which the capacity of computers is
doubled in around every other year) means that
device become outdated quickly thus computers
are thrown away in high masses. Data storage in
mobile phones, computers, notebooks, USB
drives and mobile hard drives requires the mining
of certain—mostly highly magnetic—mineral
resources the processing of which produces
waste material and pollution in a growing quantity and requires increasing amount of energy.
Global energy demand of the operation of computers and servers compares to the largest energy
consuming industrial branches. The environmental effect of that depends on the way the consumed energy is produced. If this energy is
produced using fossil energy resources (this was
the case in 80% in the 2010s) the operation of the
Internet and computer devices in general contributes to the warming of the climate.
The various networks of cities mentioned
before have numerous benefits but they cannot
impede the flow of poor people into cities and
thus the formation of ghettos at marginal areas of
towns in many countries. The movement of population into cities concentrates social tension and
increases the probability of riots.
The global civil society—despite the high
number of its deficiencies in operation—is capable of development and its beneficial role in shaping sustainable development is expected to rise,
however, it is not enough on its own.
The authors consider that global interconnectivity alone would solve the most stressing problems of humanity doubtful. In the following the
way the global society tries to achieve sustainable development is examined: what were the
major measures taken in recent years and what
theoretical approaches may ground sustainable
development.
5 Structure and Operation of the Global Society (Anthroposphere)
et al. (2018) analysing the data of 160 countries
drew the conclusion that the carbon footprint of
global tourism increased from 3.9 to 4.5 GT CO 2
between 2009 and 2013 and reaches 8% of global
GHG emission.
Unregulated fields of international trade
together with illegal trade present a significant
threat to natural values: e.g. illegal elephant bone
trade intensifies the decline of elephant populations while the illegal trade of protected plant and
animal species may contribute to the extinction
of the species. Illegal trade of tropical forest trees
changes habitats contributing to the possible
extinction of numerous lower species, etc.
The advancing digital world seems to be beneficial from environmental point of view, however, a new, hazardous waste type, electronic
waste is produced in an enormous and growing
quantity. Rapid development (Moore’s rule,
according to which the capacity of computers is
doubled in around every other year) means that
device become outdated quickly thus computers
are thrown away in high masses. Data storage in
mobile phones, computers, notebooks, USB
drives and mobile hard drives requires the mining
of certain—mostly highly magnetic—mineral
resources the processing of which produces
waste material and pollution in a growing quantity and requires increasing amount of energy.
Global energy demand of the operation of computers and servers compares to the largest energy
consuming industrial branches. The environmental effect of that depends on the way the consumed energy is produced. If this energy is
produced using fossil energy resources (this was
the case in 80% in the 2010s) the operation of the
Internet and computer devices in general contributes to the warming of the climate.
The various networks of cities mentioned
before have numerous benefits but they cannot
impede the flow of poor people into cities and
thus the formation of ghettos at marginal areas of
towns in many countries. The movement of population into cities concentrates social tension and
increases the probability of riots.
The global civil society—despite the high
number of its deficiencies in operation—is capable of development and its beneficial role in shaping sustainable development is expected to rise,
however, it is not enough on its own.
The authors consider that global interconnectivity alone would solve the most stressing problems of humanity doubtful. In the following the
way the global society tries to achieve sustainable development is examined: what were the
major measures taken in recent years and what
theoretical approaches may ground sustainable
development.
5 Structure and Operation of the Global Society (Anthroposphere)