Urban environmental imprints after globalization

Abstract

While cities continue to cast a large environmental imprint on their regionally proximate environments, they are also exerting a stronger influence on the natural systems of more remote locations because of their growing interconnectedness and interdependence with other citiesin a word, globalization. This paper reviews some of the characteristic features of globalization and its environmental impacts. It also discusses possible responses to these developments and focuses in particular on the critical role that urban infrastructure systems can play. The paper concludes with a discussion of how one might conduct analyses supporting the management of changes in urban infrastructure systems to lighten urban environmental imprints.

Being environmentally responsible: Cosmopolitan orientation predicts pro-environmental behaviors

“…Given that ecological systems are globally entwined, the environmental effects of globalization can be scaled back only if citizens in different nations restore a sense of communal obligation (Ehrenfeld, 2005). We contend that cosmopolitan ideals could contribute to a growing moral sense of mutual responsibility and a belief that environmental justice is owed to all regardless of nationalities (Donaghy, 2012). This frame of mind strengthens cosmopolitan individuals' perceived connections with people in other parts of the world and invigorates a culture of concern for each other.…”

“…Ehrenfeld (2005) has stressed that acknowledging these environmental effects is not a political statement or a moral judgment, but that these changes are real and can frighteningly reach the extent that the environment becomes hostile and threatening to human survival. Trends that accompany globalization such as accelerated reduction in transport and communication costs, trade liberation, and market integration have expanded shares of world trade and global foreign investment in developing countries (e.g., China, India), thereby greatly increasing environmental pollution from intensive industrial activities in these areas (Donaghy, 2012;Mani & Wheeler, 1998). The disappearance of cheap energy and the loss of agricultural biodiversity and wild species are some of the irreversible environmental effects of globalization (Ehrenfeld, 2005).…”

“…The disappearance of cheap energy and the loss of agricultural biodiversity and wild species are some of the irreversible environmental effects of globalization (Ehrenfeld, 2005). As a result of globalization, developed nations and cities cast a large environmental imprint damaging the ecological systems of not only regionally proximate, but also remote regions (Donaghy, 2012). If cosmopolitan oriented individuals are more likely to recognize that intensity of needs should take precedence over proximity of needs (Contorno, 2012), they may be more ready to act to mitigate and repair damage.…”

“…Understanding its influence on the environment is an imperative for environmental researchers. Past studies in this regard have often been focused on the direct impacts, particularly negative ones, of globalization on environmental quality (see Donaghy, 2012;Ehrenfeld, 2005). We argue that to fully appreciate the environmental implications of globalization, apart from examining its direct impacts on environmental quality, researchers should also take note of its psychological impacts, particularly its influence on people's environmentalism.…”

Understanding pro‐environmental intentions by integrating insights from social mobility, cosmopolitanism, and social dominance

“…Whereas globalization has a pivotal (and typically negative) role in climate change (e.g., Donaghy, ; Finger, ; Najam, Runnalls, & Halle, ; Rohrschneider & Dalton, ), cosmopolitanism that is often coupled with globalization might potentially offset some of its adverse impacts on the environment (Leung & Koh, ; Leung et al., ). However, few have systematically studied the pro‐environmental benefits of cosmopolitan orientation.…”