Question 1

1. Identify two positive impacts of globalization

   Exchange of culture and increased tourism

2. Explain a negative consequence of one of the impacts you have identified in part (a)

   A negative consequence of exchange of culture could be the modernization and commercialization of culture. For example, in Japan, after the country opened up to trade, traditional symbols like kimonos and samurais were commercialized and replaced for modern alternatives.

Question 2

1. Look at Source A and evaluate the action plan.

   Strengths:

   • One of the main strengths of the action plan is that allows for the collection of a variety of sources. It details to collect both primary and secondary data which increases the reliability of the information presented.

   Limitations:

   • A major limitation of the action plan is that the primary data only interviews 5 farms although majority, 60%, of the population works in the agricultural sector. They could interview more farmers, as well as other relevant people to get a vide range of perspectives.

   Appraisal:

   • Overall, the action plan aids in collecting reliable data yet the lack of research into the overall sector and new technologies that could help the country reduce their reliance results in it being unsuccessful.

Question 3

1. Formulate a clear and focused research question for your investigation.

   To what extent did Japan opening up to trade in the late 1800s affect the air and water pollution in the country?

2. Justify why your research question will allow the government to achieve their goal.

   My RQ explores how air and water pollution levels may have increased after Japan open up to trade and globalization in the late 1800s. For 200 years, Japan was isolated from global trade and ,after pressure from the West, it opened its ports. This led to urbanization and modernization but also environmental degradation. The RQ investigates how trade had led to increased pollution, which helps the government to achieve their goal in understanding the environmental impacts of globalization on the country.

3. Identify two reliable sources you would use in your investigation.

   Government data on pollution levels in Japan

   Statistics from environmental NGOs in Japan

4. Explain how one source identifies in part (c) will help you answer your research question.

   Government data on pollution levels in Japan will help answer my RQ as it will provide concrete, raw data which will allow for a direct, quantitive comparison and analysis of how globalization has impacted the country environmentally. By basing my research on reliable statistics, I can make an informed conclusion to my RQ.

Question 4

1. Write a script in response to the host's question.

   In your script, you must:

   • state a title for the episode
   • explain how humans are using scientific and technical innovations to harm or protect natural environments
   • reference at least two biomes from your MYP studies
   • provide a closing statement.

Title: Technology. Meant to advance, but is it pushing us back?

Humans have always used technology to adapt, but today those same innovations are quietly harming our natural environments that we depend on. In many cases, this interaction between technology and ecosystems has lead to irreversible environmental damage in many biomes across the world. Let us dive into a few now!

Have you ever looked at the back of your shampoo or shower gel bottle? One of the things that the ingredients have in common is palm oil. Palm oil is farmed and harvested in tropical rainforests, the real issue is that, due to its demand, it is being mass produced. This results in significant deforestation. But how is technology involved? Machinery like bulldozers, logging trucks and chainsaws has allowed humans to move faster and more efficiently. Essentially, technology has accelerated the rate of deforestation beyond natural recovery rates, leading to mass habitat destruction and biodiversity loss.

Now, let us think about our diets. Nearly 40% of the world rely on fish as their main source of protein. But have you ever stopped to think about how is possible for a handful of fishermen to catch and bring in dozens of fish daily? This is also due to new technology. Systems like trawling nets, sonar systems and massive fishing vessels has allowed fishermen to catch more fish efficiently. This allows them to meet the demand but it also has made it possible to overexploit ocean ecosystems. This can severely alter the ecosystems natural processes and lead to destruction of seabeds and disruption of food chains.

These examples highlight a clear pattern: technology removes natural limits, but humans often take more than ecosystems can recover from. In both tropical rainforests and marine ecosystems, we see how technological innovations have enabled humans to extract resources faster than ever before, at the expense of natural balance. Technology is often seen as a tool for advancement; however, it is also a force that can push us further away from environmental sustainability. So the real question is: how much consumption and technological advancement is too much before we begin to lose what we are trying to improve?

Question 5

1. Look at Source B and explain one value of Source B to the NGOs goal to help survivors of the wildfires

   A value of Source B to the NGO’s goal to help survivors of the wildfires is that it specifies certain areas and building that are damaged and undamaged. This will allow the NGO to ration their resources and supplies appropriately to avoid wasting time and important items.