Environmental Change

Homogenization of landscapes:

Question: Explain the evolution of uniform landscapes; the effects of common commercial activity; structures, styles of construction and infrastructure.

      Landscapes evolve because of many factors, some which include the forced nature to evolve landscape due to environmental changes. For example, Tokyo had to evolve their landscapes to prevent earthquakes to consistently damage their environment, taking into consideration that earthquakes happen so frequently in Tokyo, and the same example can be used for San Francisco. 

      Many landscapes may evolve because of competition. Countries with money tend to have better landscapes, and we see these developed countries start to have better looking landscapes, which attracts tourists. For example, the landscapes in Dubai are phenomenal. 

Economic Interactions and Flows: Information Flows

Economic Interactions and Flows: Information Flows

The Philippines: The World's Hotline

I read a very interesting article about the World's Hotline in the Philippines. After reading this, it explains how the Philippines have a more successful Hotline compared to India, because of the Western Influence. Because of the constant influence American culture has on the Philippines, Filipino's are very much like American's, and they speak very good English, but more importantly, it's very cheap in the Philippines and this is the main reason why the United States outsource to the Philippines, as Bong Borja, the Philippine president of the Aegis People Support quotes "To an American, the Philippine accent appears clear and neutral."It's interesting how when American's call American companies, in this case an American calling to book his flight from Detroit to New York was transferred to the Philippines, and this leads me to ask this question:

The Philippines now has more call centre workers compared
to India

Clearly the Western influence on the Philippines have caused a tie between the two countries and it's interesting to think about if this influence wasn't present, how would the Philippines end up being like? 

Political Outcomes: "Paraguay suspended from MERCOSUR".

Fernando Lugo was impeached by Paraguay's congress a week ago, prompting
Mercosur to suspend the country's membership.

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/jun/30/paraguay-suspended-mercosur

Summary of the Article:

The MERCOSUR is an economic agreement/political agreement between Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay and Venezuela however Paraguay has been kicked out from this group, but expected to return in 2014, due to the fact that the President was impeached because of a land eviction that killed 17 people clashing between landless peasants and police. This resulted into the democratic order being broken, however no sanctions were forced onto Paraguay, and they are said to return in 2014.

• Paraguay removed from MERCOSUR group, but expected to return in 2014

• 17 people killed in land eviction from former President Fernando Lugo

• President Fernando Lugo impeached and removed from congress, resulting in a temporary removal from the MERCOSUR group until restoration is complete.

My Thoughts:

The MERCOSUR is a great political/economic agreement between these countries, and it opens up and brings trade closer together between Europe. It's kind of like the European Union and other organizations, because it brings Europe's trading industry closer together. I think that they made a good decision in removing Paraguay temporarily because if they kept Paraguay in the agreement it would cause some conflict and put a bad reputation on the group. I think it's necessary because since their president was removed for evicting innocent landowners, the new president could use some time to bring his country back into place, before they are taken into the MERCOSUR group once again, however since they are gone now, and Venezuela wasn't a serious member of the group, I think that they also made a good decision in giving Venezuela the spot of being a permanent member in the group. 

IB Geography Terminology Study:

Good way to study terms for IB exam! Starting from terms we learnt first entering Geography to now.

Click here if you are interested to know these terms :)

Globalization and impact Economically:

The graph below shows the global distribution of wealth, and clearly we can see inequality between the global distribution of wealth per capita 2000 ($). An interesting fact is that 10% of the richest earn as much annual income compared to the bottom 90%. We can see widespread poverty across developing countries. We see that the wealthiest country include Canada, United States, Europe and Japan. 

Socio-Cultural Exchange:

Writing Prompt 2:

 #Cultural Diffusion

Question: How have you observed consumerism in your own country of a product by the use of an image appealing to the local population?

--> In the Philippines, basketball is the favored sport. Many Filipino's look up to basketball superstars such as Lebron James for example. Here in the Philippines, we have advertisements of Lebron James such as the picture below of him holding his newest model of shoes, in every Nike store department, or other sport stores. When kids see this, they want to have these shoes because Lebron is holding it but in reality the image is appealing to the local population causing them to consume this product. Also recently, we held the Pacers vs. Rockets game here, and that promotes basketball because considering basketball is so popular here, many Filipino's will follow these superstars such as James Harden or Paul George. I've even experienced consumerism of a product myself, by buying the new Ipad, because the advertisement they made for it was so cool, and it's one of those things "I needed to have". Images and advertisement promote consumerism for their products because it shows people that their product is the best etc.. Kids love Lebron James because he takes time of his own hands to come down to the Philippines and play basketball with many of the locals here, and this promotes him as a player, resulting in many people following him out of respect.

#Pros and #Cons of Globalization

       #PROS     

- Solves a lot of our worlds problems, such as poverty and unemployment rate (the less economically active people are getting chances to contribute and participate in the world market).

- Cultures clashing and because of globalization and companies being spread around the world other then their own country, people are starting to understand others' cultures better.

- Overall global economic growth, opening jobs and makes companies more competitive and lowers prices for consumers i.e. oil prices spiking and dropping every now and then.

- Provides LEDC countries with a chance to become economically developed through infusions of foreign capital and technology.

- Creates better politics; decisions are made more rationally which usually benefits our world and makes it a better place gradually.

- World wide active market for producers and consumers to access products from countries all around.

   #CONS

- Multinational corporations accused of social injustice, terrible working conditions i.e. poor living/working conditions

- Benefits the rich and makes them richer, but hell for poor people.

- Countries individual cultures are being are becoming overwhelmed and overpowered by Americanization.

- UN DP (Development Program) reports that statistically, the richest 20% of the worlds total population consume 86% of worlds natural resources, while the other poorest 80% consume the other 14%. This means that globalization is effecting the higher economically developed individuals moreover the lower. 

- Exploitation of labor. i.e. inhumane working conditions, safety standards being completely ignored.                                                                      

                                                                    

Hazards and Disasters: The BP Oil Spill

This video is insane! Mr. Barnes told us to check it out if we wanted a closer look to see what it looks like underwater. This is the BP oil spill on the Gulf of Mexico, in the video you can see the point of impact and if you look closely it looks like the failed blowout preventer.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-rJH9xB7fk