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Lesson 10.02 Technological Revolutions: For the Betterment of the World?

Technology has soared through out the world within the latter half of the 20^th century. With the aid of the United States, Japan, and western European nations, the standard of living has soared. Technology has impacted emerging nations as well. World trade has increased proportionally with the development of technology. Cargo ships the size of three football fields, computer links to different places, and television has truly created a global economy. As news travels the globe instantaneously, it becomes harder for dictators to hide human rights violations.

Many multinational corporations such as IBM, Sony, and Honda now control wealth larger than some nation states.

With this rapid growth in technology becomes some serious issues which you will explore in this final lesson in World History.

Assignment 10.02 - Technological Revolutions: For the Betterment of the World?

While many countries were integrating into the world economy, the impacts of their advancements have impacted the environment. The harmful burning of coal and oil as an energy source has led to global warming because it caused acid rain and air pollution. Refrigerators and manufacturing processes releases a chemical called chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) which destroys the earth’s ozone layer. The ozone layer protects us from the suns ultraviolet rays.

You are an environmentalist researching more in depth details about the damaging affects of the radiation. You are to research how the technological advancements through out the world have aided in the destruction of the earth’s ozone layer and environment, as well finding how to decrease the destruction of air, land and water resources.

Write a one to two-page paper addressing the technological advancements and their effects on the environment. Remember that you want to help fix the problem, not just find out what it is. Explain the damaging effects along with examples from around the world. Include any pictures pertaining to the world economy and make sure that you propose a solution to the problem as well.

Use these links to start your research

http://www.unep.org/ozone/index-en.shtml - information on ozone layer and attempts to protect it
http://www.ec.gc.ca/ozone/indexe.htm - deals with issues and other aspects of the ozone layer
http://www.hartford-hwp.com/archives/25/index.html - history of the world economy