Culture

            Culture can be defined as a society that has its own beliefs and they have their own way of interacting with the environment. Cultural identity involves a vast array of entities, including : language, religion, food and social habits, music, and art. Culture is what makes and creates a a group of people, or even a nation. Culture is very dynamic and is always changing, it is very static. Culture has both abstract and material dimensions. This includes things like speech, religion, ideology, livelihood, and value systems. But, this blog entry will focus on technology, housing, foods, and music.

            Thailand has a lot of new advances with their technology. Technology also deals with industries. There is a very diverse mix between industries and other businesses.Also included are electronics, automobile manufacturing, food processing, and logistics. Thailand’s original housing units were called Isaan homes and they were created with raised wooden post. They built them this way so that animals and insects could not get into the homes. They usually kept their cattle underneath the houses. The way that they live and the way they build their housing can be described as livelihood. One could relate the countries speech and religion into this category. Buddhism is the primary religion in Thailand. More than 90% of its population is Buddhist. But, Christianity, Islam, and Hindu can also be found in Thailand. They speak the Thai language as a majority, but also included are  Siamese or Central Thai.

            The main staple of food in Thailand is rice.  Rice is introduced into the diet at an early stage in life. Their food is also known for being very hot and spicy. Something that I noticed is that they do not usually sit down to have a family meal they just eat whenever they are hungry. Thailand was never colonized by a colonial power, so the European influences did not have a dramatic effect on the culture such as pop music, but today modern american influences can be seen , as well as Asian, and European  A couple of the instruments that the people have used are called the klong thap which is of Persian origin and the jakhe which is from India.  All four of these types of culture are very important in keeping the original Thai beliefs in place.   

This is an example of what housing looks like in Thailand.

"Houses in Thailand." Houses in Thailand. Web. 4 Dec. 2014. <http://resources.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/thaihouses.html>.

"Thai Food - Thailand Life." Thai Food - Thailand Life. Web. 4 Dec. 2014. <http://www.thailandlife.com/thai-food/index.php>.

"Thailand Rides Technology, Investment Tide on 'new Wave' Supply Chain - Area Development." Area Development. Web. 4 Dec. 2014. <http://www.areadevelopment.com/InternationalLocationReports/Q2-2013/Thailand-econdev-global-supplychain-destination-2262214.shtml>.

Tropical Deforestation

            Tropical deforestation has become a major environmental issue, with significant deforestation occurring in countries such as Brazil, Indonesia, and Thailand, as well as in parts of Africa and Eastern Europe. (Szalay) There are many factors that contribute to deforestation, though three are considered to be major factors: the habitat destruction of a diverse number of plant and animal species; an alarming amount of carbon dioxide emissions; and the conversion of the tropical forests to agricultural land. (Rowntree, 59-60)

         

Tropical rainforests can be found in many parts of the world.
 (Map found on National Geographic website)

            Because the tropical rainforests of the world are so expansive and diverse, many of the plant and animal species that thrive within them are as of yet undiscovered by scientists: “It is estimated that tropical forests, comprising only 6 percent of the world’s surface area, contain one-half to three-quarters of the earth’s species of plants and animals.” (“How Much Biodiversity”) Of the 1715 known species of amphibians, birds, mammals, and reptiles in Thailand’s rainforests, 5.1% exist in no other country, and 5.8% are threatened. (“Thailand”)

          

Javan Rhino - critically endangered. 35 left in the world. Native to rainforests in Vietnam/Indonesia.
 (Image courtesy of www.rainforest-alliance.org)

            Tropical deforestation also releases disturbing amounts of carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere. According to Globalization and Diversity, “Current estimates suggest that fully 20 percent of all human-caused GHG emissions result from cutting and burning tropical forests.” (Rowntree, 59) The greenhouse gases produced from deforestation get trapped in the earth’s atmosphere, which causes the planet to retain heat, leading to environmental issues worldwide.

            The wood being cut down in the tropical rainforests is used for all kinds of wood products: “Currently, about one-half of all tropical forest timber is destined for China, where much of the wood is used for throwaway items such as chopsticks and newspapers.” (Rowntree, 59) The land left behind is turned into agricultural land, used for planting crops and grazing cattle.

            Because Thailand is in an area of the world where rainforests are prominent, the effects of tropical deforestation are noticeable there. Many unique Thai species have become extinct, and eliminating so much forest has had negative environmental effects.

"B. How Much Biodiversity Is Found in Tropical Rainforests?" Rainforest Conservation Fund RSS. Web. 30 Nov. 2014. <http://www.rainforestconservation.org/rainforest-primer/2-biodiversity/b-how-much-biodiversity-is-found-in-tropical-rainforests/>.

"Javan Rhino." WorldWildlife.org. World Wildlife Fund. Web. 30 Nov. 2014. <http://www.worldwildlife.org/species/javan-rhino>.

Rowntree, Les. "The Changing Global Environment." Globalization and Diversity: Geography of a Changing World. 4th ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall, 2014. Print.

Szalay, Jessie. "Deforestation: Facts, Causes & Effects." LiveScience. TechMedia Network, 6 Mar. 2013. Web. 3 Dec. 2014. <http://www.livescience.com/27692-deforestation.html>.

"Thailand Forest Information and Data." Environmental News. Mongbay.com. Web. 3 Dec. 2014. <http://rainforests.mongabay.com/deforestation/2000/Thailand.htm>.

Kyoto Protocol

The Kyoto Protocol is “an international agreement linked to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), which commits its Parties by setting internationally binding emission reduction targets,” according to the UNFCCC. (“Kyoto Protocol”) Put a little more simply, the Kyoto Protocol is a legally binding agreement for the countries that have signed it to reduce their greenhouse-gas emissions by a certain percentage in a set amount of time. It was first adopted in Kyoto, Japan, in December 1997, where the 30 industrialized western countries of the United Nations agreed to lower their greenhouse-gas emissions “back to 1990 levels by the year 2012.” (Rowntree, 54) Thailand signed the Kyoto Protocol in February of 1999. (“Status of Ratification”)

Emission trends of the 5 largest emitters of CO2. China & India continue to increase, others level out or decrease.

By February of 2005, the Kyoto Protocol became international law in accordance with Article 23, meaning that at least 55 Parties to the UNFCCC, accounting for at least 55% of the world’s emissions, had ratified, or confirmed, the Protocol. (“Status of Ratification”) Thailand ratified the Protocol in 2002, and began following it in February of 2005 when it became international law. (“Status of Ratification”) Today in 2014, there are 192 Parties to the Kyoto Protocol. The United States, who signed in November of 1998, did not ratify the Protocol and dropped out in 2001. (“Fast Facts”) However, the U.S. has been working to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions by encouraging power plants to switch from coal to natural gas, and the U.S. has recently begun to stabilize. (Rowntree, 55)

If you would like to learn more about the Kyoto Protocol and what it entails, click here.

"Kyoto Protocol." United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. UNFCCC. Web. 30 Nov. 2014. <http://unfccc.int/kyoto_protocol/items/2830.php>.

"Kyoto Protocol Fast Facts." CNN. Cable News Network, 8 Apr. 2014. Web. 30 Nov. 2014. <http://www.cnn.com/2013/07/26/world/kyoto-protocol-fast-facts/>.

Rowntree, Les. "The Changing Global Environment." Globalization and Diversity: Geography of a Changing World. 4th ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall, 2014. Print.

"Status of Ratification." United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. UNFCCC. Web. 30 Nov. 2014. <http://unfccc.int/kyoto_protocol/status_of_ratification/items/2613.php>.

Trade

Globalization can be defined as the process of international integration. By breaking down the walls of nations via new technology the effects are felt across the planet. Technological advances in farming practices have caused vast environmental destruction on Thailand’s ecology, as well as the rest of the world. On top of the negative globalization effects, there are also negative effects from trade agreements. A trade agreement can be defined as a trade tariff and trade treaty that gives industries incentive to locate new business and increase economic developments between countries.

Thailand's involvement in industrialization and international trade has started the depletion of their resources. There are now higher levels of deforestation and air and water pollution. The country has been focusing on their development with rapid structural changes in Thailand's economy. They have started to focus more on the industry share instead of the agriculture one and this is causing environmental problems. These problems are a result of intensive export-oriented agricultural and a few of these problems include fishing, aquaculture, forestry, and industrial production.

This picture shows unfiltered industrial waste being dumped into the fresh water supplies of Thailand.

Trade agreements and globalization both combine to have a negative effect on developing countries. Banana plantations have been replaced with industrial palm oil farms and therefore the commercial chemicals used in this type of farming are causing changes in the soil and seeping into fresh water supplies. Most of these environmental changes are the result from trade agreements. Not only do trade agreements affect the country economically and socially, but, environmentally, the effects are due to relaxed governmental control over the disposal over industrial waste.

"Communications." Thailand Environment, Crime and Disease. Web. 2 Dec. 2014. <http://www.ukessays.com/essays/communications/thailand-environment-crime-and-disease.php>.

Rowntree, Lester. Globalization and Diversity: Geography of a Changing World. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall, 2014. Print.

GNP

Gross National Product (GNP) is the market value of all the  products and services produced in a country in one calendar year.  GNP is an indicator of total economic activity of a particular country's trade; the measure was widely used until 1991 when many global economies began to use the Gross Domestic Product(GDP), as is the case with the United States. According to the textbook, Globalization and Diversity,  "GDP measures the size of a country's economy and equals the value of all goods and services produced within its borders.   The Gross National Income (GNI), an index which supplanted the GNP, combines the GDP with other forms of income which are generated outside its borders through trade.  The GNP does not, however, take into account other forms of income, such as individual farming for personal use, bartering, household help, self employment, and non-profit organizations.  Also to be taken into account are environmental situations across the planet.  A country may clear cut a large region or area of land and reap the benefits of the sale of the timber during the calendar year.  But, it must also consider the devaluation of the land and the fact that this is a one-time act of destruction, which in turn becomes a negative economic trend.  However, these are only tools which governments use to compare themselves to the other nations across the globe. 

This graph show the disparity in GDP per worker in Industry and Agriculture in Thailand from 1960 to 2005.  There is a tremendous gap considering the numbers of employees in the two industries is virtually equal.

Thailand's population is virtually split 50/50 between agriculture and industrial/services employment.  Though an additional 5 to 10 percent of the industrial segment actually are employed in the production and shipping of these food products, which is one of the main exports of the country of Thailand.  According to Encyclopedia, the leading industrial exports from Thailand are automobiles, textiles, and electronics.  The service industry employs a substantial portion of the Thai people via the travel industry.

Rowntree, Lester. Globalization and Diversity: Geography of a Changing World. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall, 2014. Print.

"Thailand Facts, Information, Pictures."Encyclopedia.com. Web. 2 Dec. 2014. <http://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/Thailand.aspx>.

Web. 2 Dec. 2014. <http://www.actiononviolence.org.uk/sites/default/files/CIRV 6-Month-Report.pdf>.

World Food Production Problems

There are many problems the world population must face today and in the future.  Climate change has resulted in catastrophic weather events across the globe, causing crop loss at alarming rates.  Poverty and hunger are horrific conditions that exist across the planet, yet are solvable situations.  Ample food supplies  are available if only the supplies were distributed properly. The lack of clean water and arable land are mounting issues for the world's population to face.  Government unwillingness to work for a common goal and governmental corruption are serious worldwide dilemmas.  The population of the world today stands at seven billion two hundred million (7,200,000,000) and is growing by the second.  The projections for the year 2050 call for the population of the world to exceed 9 billion.  The amount of  arable farmland in the world cannot keep pace with this growth pattern.  The rapid increase in population and the impacts of globalization have caused irreparable damage to the world's ecosystems, in particular the rain forest.  Slash and burn techniques called swidden, are rapidly diminishing the rain forest at an alarming rate in order to attain more cropland and grassland to raise the ever increasing demand for beef.  Another issue to be taken into account is the rise in income in developing nations from low income to middle class.  As incomes rise around the world, people tend to alter their diets, consuming fewer grains and increasing their consumption of meat and other more costly foods.  Urbanization is another issue.  Currently approximately half of the world's population resides in rural areas, and half in urban areas.  By 2050 the number of of people living in urban areas is expected to grow to 70 percent.

This graph identifies the population migration from rural to urban areas from 1950 to 2050.

According to a report by The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO),   projections are that "food and feed production will need to increase by 70 percent by 2050 to meet the world's food demands."  In addition to population demands, deforestation and  environmental concerns include water for crops.  Political corruption and food waste are issues facing the world today, and are serious issues which need to be addressed in the future.  Poverty is the number one reason for hunger in the world.  
Thailand produces more food and is a major exporter of rice, and many other food products.  Thailand, like the US, has ample food to feed their nation, and agribusiness is a major factor in the economy of Thailand. 

Web. 2 Dec. 2014. <http://resourcecentre.savethechildren.se/sites/default/files/documents/global_situation_analysis_for_next_global_campaign_12mach_final.pdf>.

"FAO.org." Statistics | FAO. Web. 2 Dec. 2014. <http://www.fao.org/statistics/en/>.

Rowntree, Lester. Globalization and Diversity: Geography of a Changing World. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall, 2014. Print.

Food Production

The differences between industrial and traditional food production involve the scale of the farmland in size and use of commercial chemicals.  In the traditional farming practices, the smallholders, or family farms, traditionally produce only enough food for the immediate family and the varieties are numerous.  On these small farms there is little or no machinery used.  The traditional Thai farmer uses farm animals or at the very most small farm implements.  The labor provided on these small family farms is human labor.  Very little commercial chemicals are used on these small farms.  Areas with rough terrain can be used by these farmers where high yield is not the bottom line, only reaping a yield necessary to provide for the family utilizing the land that is available to each farmer.  Mountainous and rocky regions may be used for farming or grazing of goats, pigs, or sheep, and for producing small amounts of produce.

This mountainous region is used by a small family farmer to produce enough food for an immediate family.  This is an example of extensive farming where rough terrain can be utilized.

Large scale industrial farms use commercial chemicals and slash and burn techniques called swidden.  These farms use former banana plantations and take traditional small farms and combine them in the use of mono-culture farms which produce one crop.  These methods harm the environment and take away from the culture of the indigenous peoples of the rural areas. In 1960, agriculture was responsible for more than 40 % of the national income.  According to The Encyclopedia of Nations, "the figures steadily declined to merely 17 % of the GDP by 1990."  By 1999 the figure dropped to less than 10 %.  According to this same report, the top exports consist of the following: rice, canned fish and fruit, frozen shrimp, and rubber. More than 60 % of the total workforce of Thailand are involved in agribusiness.

This graph shows the percentages of Thai workers in the various fields of employment from labor economics bureau reports 2009.

"Encyclopedia of the Nations." Thailand Overview. Web. 2 Dec. 2014. <http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/Asia-and-Oceania/Thailand.html>.

Rowntree, Lester. Globalization and Diversity: Geography of a Changing World. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall, 2014. Print.

Web. 2 Dec. 2014. <http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01722/opium-tea_1722550a.jpg>.

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