1. Maastricht University- International Center for Integrated Sustainability Assessment
Global Dynamics of Sustainable Development
Globalization as a central feature of coupled human-environment systems
Globalization impacts on the environment: A Thorny Discussion
Course Coordinator: Pim Martens
Student: Colin Laviolette
Student ID: I6054683
Deadline: 28 October 2016
Word count: 2930

2. Table of Content
Introduction.................................................................................................................................1
1. Globalization, a buzzword lacking conceptualization ............................................................2
2. Analytical process of Globalization ........................................................................................3
2.1 Growing connectedness.......................................................................................................3
3. Socio-ecological systems explained ......................................................................................5
3.1 Legalization of the rhino horns trade as an adaptive governance ......................................6
Conclusion..................................................................................................................................7
Reference List ............................................................................................................................9

3. Abstract
In this essay, it is argued that the concept of globalization plays a significant role in social-
ecological systems. Their relation is explained by the capacity of globalization to grow
connectedness within systems. Through the case of the rhino horn trade in South Africa, this
essay discusses how globalization influences the connection between social actors and their
environment. The case chosen serves also as an example of social-ecological system.
Finally, it will discuss how in the context of the rhino horn trade, legalizing the trade within
South Africa, presents an example for adaptive governance.

4. 1
Introduction
Very few would dispute the fact that our modern world is an interconnected village.
Globalization granted the exchange of raw materials, information, intellectual properties…
across transnational borders. This homogenizing process enhanced economic, political,
technological, social development and opportunities. Yet it is argued that, this happens at the
cost of traditional and cultural identities (Lenoir, 2012). Focusing on a specific case related to
biodiversity loss, this essay aims to demonstrate the impact of globalization in relation with
social response towards environmental issues. The case chosen discusses the poaching of
rhinoceros in South Africa. As an illustration of environmental costs enhanced by
globalization, this case provides interesting insights on how the phenomenon interferes with
social-ecological systems (SESs). Thereby, the concept of globalization is not suggested as
a mere contrasted concept. If we are to understand the complex nature of a globalized world,
we need a different theoretical framework. As pointed out by Fritjof Capra (1996) a radical
shift in our values, perceptions and thinking is required to address properly the major issues
of our time (p.4). Globalization refers to various meanings which is why any attempt to isolate
and defining the concept as a whole is doomed to failure (Rennen & Martens, 2003, p.137).
To prevent simplifications of the complexities involved, we need to understand globalization
in a pluralistic approach. In a similar manner, Young et al (2006) argued that using
globalization in an analytical fashion rather than a conceptual framework help to understand
its impacts on social-ecological systems (p. 304). By using the example of the rhino horns
trade, this essay illustrates how human actions can enhance resilience within ecosystem in
general.
This essay is divided into three main sections with. The first part, briefly discusses the
meaning of globalization with a special focus on its complexity to be defined as a mere
concept. Second, it will explain the importance of globalization as an analytical process if
further connections are to be made with coupled human-environment systems. This part also
discusses the complexities related to the rhino horns trade in relation with globalization. The
third chapter explains the main ideas behind the concept of social-ecological system (SESs).
In relation with the present case, this section will also suggest the legalization of the rhino
horns trade as an illustration of adaptive governance. The concluding segment will retrieve
the main points discussed, as well as the scope of this essay. It is essential for the reader to
understand the concepts of “coupled human-environment system” and “social-ecological
system“ as synonyms. To add fluidity and avoid repetition, the author will make use of both
notions, yet, in this essay, they are meant to be identical.

5. 2
1. Globalization, a buzzword lacking conceptualization
Despite the widespread assumption that globalization defines our time, the concept is often
used without a clear understanding what it refers to. On a planetary scale, our globe
witnesses a vast exchange and distributions of new ideas, most significantly with regards to
economic, scientific, technological, economic and cultural development (Gray & Colucci-
Gray, 2014, p.18). These novelties, Lenoir (2012) observes, led to the unification of the world
as a homogenizing figure. The main focus of the discussions about globalization lays in how
such term should be defined. Giddens (1996) notes, “there are few terms that we use so
frequently but which are in fact as poorly conceptualized as globalization” (Giddens in
Scholte, 2008, p.1473). Persistent confusion and ambiguity strengthened skepticism over the
term among scholars and the public.
To illustrate this, the first massive protest against globalization took place 17 years
ago in Seattle during a World Trade Organization (WTO) summit. Even though
demonstrating united, the protestations among the protesters were not unanimous. As
Rennen and Martens (2003) observe, some were against globalization in its currents form,
by claiming it was predominantly capitalistic whereas others wanted a more democratic and
equal distribution of the benefits of globalization (p.137). From this point of view, the protests
were reactions to three aspects of globalization: economic, political and technological.
Explaining globalization within these three facets does not define globalization in its current
state nor does it in regards with the case of this essay. Rennen and Martens (2003) remind
us the necessity to include social, cultural and environmental factors in order to accurately
understand the process of globalization (p.143). Implementing the social and environmental
dimensions of globalization is crucial if we are to analyze how such concept influences
coupled human-environment systems.
This said, no definition of globalization is definitive. Describing the concept remains a
difficult task; it is the interactive co-evolution of multiple social, economic, political,
technological and environmental trends at all imaginable spatio-temporal scales (Rennen &
Martens, 2003, p.143). Given the complexity of defining the term, it shall, nevertheless, not
infringe further investigations but rather invites to new approaches and ways to look at how
globalization suggests novelties in public and scientific discussions. Rather than attempting
to provide a definite conceptualization of the term, this essay aims at presenting some key
analytical dimensions of globalization in relation with socio-ecological systems (SESs). The
following section emphasizes on using globalization as an analytical tool rather than a
conceptual framework.

6. 3
2. Analytical process of Globalization
The previous section, discussed globalization as an agreed phenomenon portraying out
contemporary time. For the concept to be coupled with human environment systems, the
idea of globalization needs to be examined through an analytical dimension. From this
perspective, globalization emerges as a dynamic process within social-ecological systems
characterized by four aspects: change in connectedness, speed, scale and diversity (Young
et al, 2006, p.308). This suggests that any change in these features will impact the
functioning of SESs. This essay essentially discusses the change in connectedness as the
author believes this aspect is a relevant component in the rhino horns trade.
2.1 Growing connectedness.
An effect of globalization is its capacity to enhance connectedness by increasing the number
of connections between each individual component (Young et al, 2006, p.308). For instance,
communication in the social sphere is accelerated through informational networks and
telecommunication. As imminent consequence of growing connectedness is a faster
exchange of information through the system. Harvey (1989) called that phenomenon “time-
space compression”, in which local actions might have repercussions somewhere else in the
globe.
In the case of the rhino horns trade, sanctions on poaching in African countries will
inevitably affects the rhino horns demand in Asian countries, where the demand is the
highest. These sanctions can be explained by an intensification of communication and
collaboration between law enforcers at local, provincial and international levels (Milliken &
Shaw, 2012 p.8). Unfortunately, to counter the prohibition on the rhino horns trade, African
poachers are being supplied by international criminal gangs with more sophisticated
equipment.1
This helps to understand how “developed countries place increasing pressure
on natural resources by intensifying trade, communication, consumption and production and,
in doing so, place considerable pressure on the biodiversity of developing countries”
(Martens, Rothmans & de Groot, 2003, p.76). Acknowledging all this, the connectedness of
the major actors involved in the rhino horns trade is made clear. With this in mind, consider
the following illustration:
1 Information retrievableat :
https://www.savetherhino.org/rhino_info/threats_to_rhino/poaching_for_rhino_horn,

7. 4
Figure 1. Illustration of the different actors involved in the rhino horns trade in a globalized world.
Source: the author.
At the center of the figure, the rhino represents biodiversity loss as an environmental cost of
globalization. Poached for its horns, the rhino is close to become an extinct species.
Responsible for this extinction is the poaching team, involving not only local poachers from
Africa but also international criminal gangs. The red arrows illustrate the illegal activities
lessening the number of rhino species. As a mentioned earlier, the major demand for rhino
horns comes from outside the African continent, most likely from Vietnam.2
These criminal
organizations supply the African poachers in order to meet the growing demand for rhino
horns. This is represented by the wider blue arrow. That arrow symbolizes the pressure
foreign actors exert on developing countries for their natural resource, which is another
indicator for biodiversity loss (Martens, Rothmans & de Groot, 2003, p.76). Here, it becomes
clear that globalization puts forwards biodiversity loss.
On the other side of the figure stands the anti-poaching team. Similarly to its opponent, the
composition of the team is international: national governments, local authorities and NGO’s.
2 Information retrievableat:
https://www.savetherhino.org/rhino_info/threats_to_rhino/poaching_for_rhino_horn,
Rhino Horns Trade in a
globalized world
Poaching Team
International
criminal gang
(Asian,European…)
Local Poachers
hunting
(African countries)
Anti-Poaching Team
Local, national &
International actors
(Local, regional
governmentand
authorities,NGO…)
Global citizens
(social network, raising
awareness)

8. 5
By prohibiting the trade of the rhino horns and protecting the rhinos in diverse activities, the
anti-poaching team tries to avoid the catastrophe (green arrow). The thinner blue arrow
expresses the demand for raising awareness about the extinction of rhino species.3
. Earlier,
it was discussed how improving communication and collaboration between multi-level actors
could strengthen investigations for illegal trades (Milliken & Shaw, 2012, p.8). By gathering
many people, social networks and public discussions are important platforms for raising
global awareness on the illegal trafficking. Hence, globalization plays a positive and
important role as it increased connectedness which leads to faster diffusion and information
(Young et al, 2006, p.309).
Coming to the end of this section, the following chapter explains the concept of social-
ecological systems in relation with the rhino horn trade as its illustration. To understand their
connection, it is important to stress the influence of human actions in the environment.
3. Socio-ecological systems explained
With globalization, environmental issues have become more complex. One approach to
dealing with the complexity of managed resources has been to recognize the strong coupling
between the social and the ecological aspects of systems (Berkes & Folke, 1998,;
Gunderson et al, 1995,; Rockstrom, 2009). Put simply, SESs is a system in which humans
depend on the environment and vice-versa. To remain stable, coupled human-environment
systems require three complementary attributes: resilience, adaptability and transformability
(Walker et al, 2004). The resilience of the SESs is its ability to absorb shocks and reorganize
itself in order to keep its same structure and function. Adaptability, being intrinsically linked
with resilience, is the capacity to enhance resilience. And finally, in coupled human-
environment system, transformability is the capacity to create a fundamentally new system
when the structures (i.e. ecological or social) make the existing systems undesirable (Walker,
2004). In order to answer the question of how globalization interferes and affects the SES it
needs to be set in relation to the rhino horns trade
First, it is important to remind that illegal activities such as poaching inevitably lead
irreversible biodiversity loss if not severely sanctioned. In this context, we need to
understand the extinction of the rhino as undesirable since a loss in the biodiversity affects
the productivity and stability of the ecosystem: “Greater biodiversity generally leads to the
3 Here is a listof reasons for savingrhino species:
https://www.savetherhino.org/get_involved/donate/ten_good_reasons_to_save_rhinos

9. 6
more efficient use of the available natural resources, because there is more chance that
species will be present that are able to cope with specific circumstances in a habitat”
(Martens, Rothmans & de Groot, 2003, p.77). Relying on this, in the case of the rhino horns
trade, resilience refers to the intention of conserving and protecting rhinos from poachers.
With no rhino in its landscapes and conservation parks, South Africa’s ecosystem would no
longer be the same. As suggested by Walker (2004), in SESs resilience is either intentional
or unintended (p.3). In the rhino scenario, building resilience is intentional.
To understand the intentionality of building resilience, it is important to discuss the
social component of SESs. In the rhino scenario, human actions are dominant as the animal
cannot protect themselves from being poached. Accordingly, conservation policies and law
enforcement regarding illegal trades are taken by social bodies such as local or regional
authorities to protect the endangered species (Milliken & Shaw, 2012, p.8).
Finally, the legalization of the rhino horn trade illustrates the third aspect of SESs.
Because transformability refers to fundamentally altering the nature of a system (Walker,
2004), a reform in the law regarding environment protection illustrates adequately this radical
change in the environmental governance system.
3.1 Legalization of the rhino horns trade as an adaptive governance
One solution to deter poachers from criminal activities is to legalize the trade of rhino horn in
South Africa. There are two main theoretical reasons why a well-controlled international trade
in rhino horn has potential to reduce poaching. The first one being, an opportunity for rhino
owners such as SANParks, provincial parks and private owners to generate income to pay
for increased rhino protection. Second, it would lead to an increase of the total supply of horn
to the market, thereby most likely reducing the profitability of illegal activity and, therefore,
incentives for illegal killing (DEA, 2014, p.21).4
Furthermore, providing a stable, legal supply
of horn would: “remove incentives for illegal speculative stockpiling and bringing prices into
the open would allow for effective monitoring of, and adaptation to, changing market
conditions” (DEA, 2014, p.21).5
As some light on the aspect of legalization was shed it now needs to be put in relation
to the definition of adaptive governance (AG). Based on Folke (2005) definition, AG is an
alternative to environmental governance that were intended to control and stabilize
ecological systems to meet societal goals of sustainable resource use (Folke in Chaffin,
4 DEA refers to the Department of Environmental Affair of South Africa.
5 Ibid,.

10. 7
2016, p.82). Until today, the environmental governance implemented in South Africa prohibits
the trade in rhino horn; however, this essay discussed the failures of the current governance
in deterring poaching. In responses to those failures, AG proposes a series of responses to
avoid environmental degradation and human conflicts over resource allocation (Chaffin,
2016, p.82). Earlier on, it was mentioned how a legalization of the trade could reduce
incentives for criminal activities towards the traffic of rhinos. Moreover, it would generate an
extra source of income to be spent for an increased protection of the rhinos6
.
However, legalizing the rhino horn trade is not flawless. In fact, there is no silver bullet
to the crisis at stake. The legislation of the horn trade remains a highly complex issue, and
many factors need to be considered when deciding whether it might alleviate poaching (DEA,
2014, p.21). The report conducted by the DEA is currently studying the viability of legalizing
the rhino horns trade within South Africa. As the legislation is still subject of discussion in the
government7
, it cannot exclude other approaches, but rather supports the emergence of
policies, in a learning context that allows adaptation (Chaffin, 2016, p.86).
Conclusion
Built on the case of the rhino horn trade, this essay aimed at illustrating how globalization
has important consequences on system involving the interaction of humans and nature.
Despite the difficulties to conceptualize globalization, it was argued that such concept
describes adequately our modern times. Notwithstanding its lack of conceptualization,
globalization was explored from an analytical perspective to establish a strong connection
with SESs.8
The growth of connectedness in a system was illustrated through the case of the
rhino horn trade. This essay presented the different actors involved but also the
repercussions of their actions on the environment. On the one hand, by strengthening their
ties and connections, the poaching team, which was composed of local poachers and
international criminal gang, was able to poach more rhinos. This explained how globalization
can have a negative impact on the environment. On the other hand, by growing connections
among its components, represented by local and regional authorities, the anti-poaching team
increased importantly the awareness of the illegal horn trades. This illustrates the positive
6 See page 6.
7 DEA refers to Department of Environment Trade.
8 As a reminder SESs refers to socio-ecological systems,a synonymfor human-environment system.

11. 8
role globalization plays when it comes to faster the exchange of information. The third part
explained the concept of SESs through its three main aspects: resilience, adaptability and
transformability. Resilience was explained through the intention of preserving rhino from
poachers. Adaptability was related to the actions humans can take in order to protect the
animal. And finally, transformability was referring to a potential new legislation: the
legalization of the horn trade in South Africa. Added to this, it was argued that such
legislation could serve as an example for adaptive governance since it supported emerging
policies in a changing context favoring adaptation. However, this essay called for prudence
of reception towards legitimizing the trade as, according the author, there is no one single
solution for alleviating rhino poaching.
To reflect on the scope of this essay, the author believes some further improvements
could have been made. To start with, the use of recent figures illustrating the loss of rhino
species would have strengthened the case for biodiversity loss. Secondly, the author shall
have researched more on the case proposed. This would have reinforced the overall
argumentation throughout the essay as it would be more objective. Finally, the author would
like to mention that with a larger amount of word, this essay would have been more complete
in terms of connecting the case with the theoretical frameworks at hand: globalization and
social-ecological system. Nevertheless, the author hopes to have discussed an interesting
amount of material for further discussions of related topics.

12. 9
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