Global Citizenship and Sustainable Development Quiz

Learning Objectives

• Differentiate stability from sustainability
• Articulate models of global sustainable development
• Define global food security
• Articulate a personal definition of global citizenship
• Appreciate the ethical obligations of global citizenship

Words to Go By

• Degrowth: a movement advocating for slower macroeconomic growth to achieve sustainable development
• Sustainable Development: economic development focusing on fulfilling basic citizen needs instead of profit
• Food Security: a state where all citizens have stable and sufficient access to nutritious food
• Global Citizenship: citizenship emphasizing one's responsibility to the international community

Discovering Paths

• Global warming reduces sustainability in vulnerable communities, impacting food, water, and clean air
• Over-extraction of resources (e.g., deforestation, mining) is worsening the issue
• The current economic system is unsustainable as excessive lifestyles drive carbon emissions

Discovering Paths (continued)

• Macroeconomic growth exists alongside hunger and malnutrition in many countries
• Developed countries face the problem of massive food waste while many developing countries suffer from food shortages
• The key to sustainability lies in basic needs and living simply

Is Globalization Sustainable?

• Sustainable Development: a mode of growth meeting present needs without compromising future generations' ability to meet their needs. It balances economic, social, and environmental considerations, promoting inclusive and equitable societies while minimizing environmental impacts

Key Principles of Sustainable Development

• Environmental Conservation: promoting responsible resource use, minimizing pollution, and protecting ecosystems for a healthy planet
• Social Equity: focusing on social justice, poverty reduction, and improved living standards for all members of society, especially vulnerable populations
• Economic Prosperity: supporting inclusive and sustainable economic growth without compromising future generations' well-being, promoting innovation, efficient resource use, and responsible business practices
• Intergenerational Equity: ensuring development benefits are shared across generations and present actions do not hinder future generations
• Community Engagement: involving communities in decision-making for culturally sensitive and beneficial development projects

Is Globalization Sustainable? (continued)

• Plociennik contrasts stability (short-term position, permanence, resistance to change) with sustainability (long-term system capacities to exist)
• Western-centric globalization pushes for everyone to live like typical Westerners in terms of consumption. However, this model is unsustainable. The typical American consumes significantly more calories and produces more carbon emissions per capita than residents of developing countries. This is impacting the world’s finite resources.
• The world's current consumption rate is unsustainable

Is Globalization Sustainable? (continued)

• The race to the bottom (in wages and corporate tax rates) exemplifies the unsustainable nature of current globalization. Countries lower labor costs and taxes, potentially exploiting workers and potentially impacting public services.
• Continuous commodification of world resources is unsustainable. Examples include: mining sites, timber resources for furniture/paper, and overfishing, driving declining coral reefs.

Sustainable Development and Degrowth

• Degrowth: an alternative method of global sustainable development aiming for a paradigm shift from profit-seeking to the common good. The model seeks to meet needs, not wants, and foster simplicity over luxury for future generations. Basic needs and satisfying needs trump luxury
• Degrowth/Buddhist Economics: promotes simpler demands and emphasizes reducing global consumption and production

Sustainable Development and Degrowth (continued)

• Pachamama Socialism: an indigenous earth goddess concept now being used as "Mother Earth". It's a way of looking at and respecting nature, with Bolivia passing laws recognizing nature's rights equivalent to humans. It wants modernization without disregarding environmental concerns
• Buen Vivir: a community-centric, ecologically balanced, and culturally sensitive alter-globalization movement prioritizing people, communities, and the environment over economic growth.

Sustainable Development and Degrowth (continued)

• Buen Vivir highlights harmony among humans and nature
• Humans are stewards of Earth
• Green Businesses: balancing economic success with environmental and social considerations. Examples like the Green Party’s Green Transition Program and companies like Tesla

Global Food Security

• Definition: a situation ensuring everyone has consistent access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food for active and healthy lives. Food security covers four central topics: availability, stability, access, and utilization.
• Issues: Although the world produces enough food, issues in availability, access, and distribution lead to hunger and malnutrition. Food production often is treated as a for-profit commodity rather than a basic human good.
• Historical examples: Rome’s "bread and circuses" exemplify a system that temporarily satisfied the needs of citizens but ignored long-term sustainability
• The Global Hunger Index (GHI) a tool comprehensively measuring and tracking hunger. It uses different indicators of malnutrition

Key Facts on Food Loss and Waste

• Significant amounts of food are wasted at every stage; roughly 1/3 of food produced globally is lost or wasted.
• Developed and developing countries experience similar amounts of food waste.
• Developed countries throw away food due to consumer behavior (ugly food, preference). In contrast, developing countries waste food due to a lack of infrastructure in harvesting, processing, storing, and transporting.
• Practical solutions to food waste include improving supply chains and promoting beneficial use of wasted food, alongside raising consumer awareness, and measures like food donation.

Global Citizenship

• Empowers citizens to resolve local, national, and international challenges
• Recognizes shared responsibility for global well-being
• Encourages collaboration and cooperation
• Cultivates respect and harmony among all people
• Implies an understanding of various social and environmental problems followed by action

Global Citizenship Education

• International Solidarity: serving communities globally through community sharing and mutual aid
• Programs like UNESCO's Global Citizenship Education (GCED): education focusing on sustainable development. This includes knowledge and skills to promote responsible lifestyles (sustainable lifestyle), human rights, gender equality, a culture of peace and non-violence, and an appreciation of diverse cultures.

A Global Citizen

• Understanding the complexity of the interconnected world, along with understanding the biggest challenges
• Knowledge of social, ethical, and political responsibilities
• Leadership and teamwork skills
• Problem-solving creativity and entrepreneurship
• Critical thinking for sound decision making and persuasive communication

Test your understanding of global citizenship and sustainable development concepts. This quiz covers topics such as food security, ethical obligations, and the impacts of economic practices on sustainability. Prepare to articulate models of sustainable development and differentiate between stability and sustainability.