Reflecting and consolidating

Chapter summary

• Global citizenship requires us to understand how our views of the world and the actions we take in our everyday life have consequences for the economic, social and environmental sustainability of our world.
• The decisions we make on our purchase, use and disposal of electronic devices should be informed by our principles and our research into the social and environmental impacts of these decisions.
• Through understanding what transnational companies are and how they operate in and across countries, we are better able to influence these companies to adopt and follow more responsible human rights and environmental sustainability principles.
• The fair trade movement is an important movement trying to improve the working conditions and income of workers in poorer countries by making consumers in the richer countries more aware of the working conditions in the poorer countries and the purchasing choices available to them.
• The rapid expansion of palm oil production provides a powerful example of the significant consequences of not understanding the interdependence of economic, social and environmental sustainability in the mass production of goods, and of what can be done to adopt more sustainable practices.

Interactive activity

Key terms

Short-answer questions

1. Describe what determines your purchasing decisions.
2. Discuss what is meant by the ethical use of ICT devices and technologies.
3. Explain why transnational companies are so powerful.
4. Explain what the north–south gap is.
5. Evaluate whether or not fair trade is fair.

Extended-response question

1. Explain what your responsibilities are as a global citizen and a consumer of world products.
2. Describe how you carry out these responsibilities.