CGW4U World Issues

An Introduction to World Issues Imagine you are a first-class passenger on a spaceship hurling through space at 100,000 km/h Poisonous gases are leaking into certain sections of the craft and several passengers are dying from the fumes. The water supply has been contaminated due to a breakdown in the ship's waste expulsion system. Food supplies are running out.

An Introduction to World Issues Many passengers crowded into the economy section of the craft are seriously ill, and only a few of them are getting proper medical attention. The spaceship has an overall destruct system and increasing numbers of technologists - some mentally unstable - have gained access to the controls of the destruct system. What would you do?

An Introduction to World Issues List your 5 top priorities in order of importance

Why Study Geography? You need to study more geography to offset those who think… – Andes is an after- dinner mint. – The Balkans are an alien people on Star Trek. – The English Channel is a TV sitcom about Charles and Camilla. – The United Kingdom is a cultural theme park. – The Tropic of Cancer is a sunscreen lotion. – The $ pyramid is in Egypt.

Why Study Geography? You need to study more geography to offset those who think… – The Gaza Strip is a Middle Eastern folk dance. – The Ring of Fire is the centre ring of Barnum and Bailey’s Circus. – The Bermuda Triangle is a percussion instrument in a reggae band. – The Cumberland Gap gives out a pair of clogs with every pair of jeans sold. – The International Dateline is a new digital TV channel.

Why Study Geography? You need to study more geography to offset those who think… – The Continental Shelf is a specialty section in the supermarket. – A fault is what you find in other people. – A fjord is a type of car. – A mantle is what goes over your fireplace. – Tide is a laundry detergent. – You can do a research project to find out who killed the Dead Sea.

Why Study Geography? “Nature is not only more complex than we think, it is more complex than we can think.” Dr. David Suzuki

Topics To Open With Media and Globalization Media and Globalization Conflict and Terrorism Conflict and Terrorism Population Issues Population Issues Poverty Poverty Biodiversity Biodiversity Climate Change Climate Change

ECONOMIC CENTER OF GRAVITY IN THE WORLD

Issues.vs. Problems Problems Problems are often statements, require further action, and has a high degree of consensus as to its nature and need for action. Issues Issues are often questions, with multiple viewpoints, and require further investigation rather than a clear-cut immediate response. Difference

Global Village and Globalization Marshal McLuhan Marshal McLuhan coined the phrase (the ‘Global Village’) prior to his death in It referred to the fact the world would seem smaller as the amount of technology increased. Globalization Globalization simply refers to making an issue a worldwide challenge. It usually has long-term consequences for the future.

Sample Issue: Food? “Problem”: “Problem”: – Many people in the world do not have access to adequate food supplies (approx. 2,000 Cal/day) “Issue(s)”: “Issue(s)”: – How – How do we guarantee everyone in the world has access to food? – What – What is hindering the ability for everyone to gain food security?

Food Security? Cost Quantity Political Multi-National? National? Local? Access EconomicEnvironmental W.T.O (1990s) G.A.T.T (Post WWII) What’s Next? (aka The “Issue”) -Seed Saving -Marketing -‘Trump’ Local Laws