Chp 12- Global Issues Flashcards
(27 cards)
What global issues does Chapter 12 focus on? Climate change
disease
Why is climate change an international issue? It affects all nations through rising temperatures
sea levels
What causes climate change? Burning fossil fuels increases carbon dioxide levels
causing global warming.
Why is addressing climate change controversial? Some deny its existence or oppose solutions as too expensive.
What was the Kyoto Accord (1997)? An agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 20% by 2020; it was not legally binding.
Why did some countries leave the Kyoto Accord? They said reducing emissions would harm their economy (e.g.
USA 2001
What was the Paris Agreement (2015)? Global deal to keep warming below 2°C; 155 countries agreed
but the US withdrew in 2017.
Why is disease an international issue? Globalization spreads diseases faster through travel and trade.
What are examples of recent global disease outbreaks? SARS (2002–2003)
H1N1 flu (2009)
Why does poverty make disease worse? Poor nations lack healthcare
resources
How does internationalism help address disease? Organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO) monitor and control global health threats.
What is the role of the WHO? It leads vaccination and outbreak response efforts globally (e.g.
during COVID-19).
Why is access to water a global issue? 1.1 billion people lack clean water
and 2.5 billion lack sanitation
Why is water inequality a concern? Canada has 20% of the world’s freshwater but only 0.5% of its population.
What did the UN declare in 2002 about water? That clean water is a fundamental human right—but Canada opposed the resolution.
Why is poverty and hunger a global issue? 1.3 billion people live in absolute poverty; 800 million suffer from chronic malnutrition.
What causes poverty and hunger? Lack of education
resources
How do international organizations fight hunger? UNICEF and Oxfam work globally to provide food
education
Why is debt a global issue for developing countries? They owe billions in loans they can’t repay
leaving little money for social services.
What is an example of debt’s impact? Jamaica borrowed $6.5 billion but couldn’t repay it; half its tax revenue went to loan interest.
What is odious debt? Loans used by corrupt governments to oppress people without their consent or benefit.
What is an example of odious debt? South Africa’s apartheid regime borrowed $18 billion to enforce racist laws.
How has internationalism addressed debt? Through debt forgiveness—some wealthy nations cancel loans to help poor countries survive.
Why are human rights abuses a global issue? They threaten peace and violate the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948).
