Since the 1990s and even prior, global trade has completely been altered. Indeed, the world appears today to be more interconnected than ever before, with the rise of the internet making this reality all the more apparent. In the early 2000’s, one nation in particular (China) began to expand its trade relations with the western world at other nations acquiescence. Today, China is a growing power, consistently challenging the United States for dominance on the world stage. While global trade has had its benefits for some consumers (resulting in the widespread availability of relatively cheap products at affordable prices in a high supply), the quality of many products has also diminished. Additionally, stable, well-paying middle class jobs in manufacturing and other industrial capacities have greatly been reduced. Overall, it could be argued that globalization has been more of a detriment to the average citizen in the west than a positive. As wages continue to stagnate and the cost of living and of necessities continue to rise, the future remains quite uncertain.
One major component of globalization in the negative has also been environmental. As increased shipping and trade has resulted from globalization, an exchange of species (plants and animals) has also occurred, with more often than not species from the far eastern hemisphere coming into North America and Europe and completely disrupting native populations of fish, plants, crustaceans, insects, and all living beings. One plant that has truly disrupted forests across America (notably on the east coast in places like Vermont) has been Japanese Stilt grass.
In the oceanic arena, a Chinese crab species is threatening New York States coastal waters and is definitely expanding elsewhere on the eastern coast. The Chinese Mitten crab has been discovered in the Long Island Sound, the Chesapeake Bay, and the regions in between. They’ve also been discovered in San Francisco, California. Mitten crabs can cause erosion, and outcompete native species, causing serious disruption.
