Around the World
What does it mean to be a global citizen and why is it so important? In my research to find how these questions have been answered, I have found that the answers are quite simple; it’s the implementation that has people perplexed. There are, however some very easy ways for us all to become global citizens and to understand the impact that will have on us individually, nationally, and globally. Let’s start with the definition of a “global citizen.”
These days, global interdependence is very real. We rely on people from across the planet for food, clothing, technology and a host of other goods. We can fly anywhere in the world in 24 hours or less, we can communicate easily and often with people across the globe, and we can get instant updates on events that happen worldwide. We share the same air, oceans, and soil. Modern technology has enabled us to share even more. We are global citizens whether we are conscious of it or not. But being conscious of this serves us all better.
Knowing that what we do affects the world and vice versa is important to the survival of humanity, commerce, and progress. The
Global Citizenship
smallest action can send ripples across the globe and affect the lives of people who will never meet. Although these are no small actions, a perfect example of rippling effects is the devastating earthquake in Japan on March 11, 2011. When the 8.9 magnitude earthquake hit, a tsunami soon followed. Thousands of people were ordered to evacuate the coastal areas of California, Oregon, and Washington as the tsunami rolled across the Pacific at 500mph. Then there was the Fukushima nuclear power plant explosion that threatened to contaminate places continents away. Debris from the tsunami has been found along the Pacific coast as far as California.
Responsible and conscious living can have profound effects on the planet and its inhabitants. Reducing waste, sending aid to disaster victims, even signing petitions are simple things that we do as global citizens which protect, preserve, and renew our home, earth. It is important and wise to make conscious efforts towards our global citizenship. Here are a few ways we can accomplish this.
by Empress Ashaki