Drivers of globalization

Research confirmed that mankind impacts on planetary ecosystems and global geochemical cycles (Zalasiewicz et al. 2011). Traces of human activities are found in various geochemical records throughout the Holocene—from the onset of agriculture to the onset of the industrial revolution. However, modern humanity is a driver of global change. 

Mather, A.S., Neddie, C.I. and Fairbaim, J. 1998. The human drivers of global land-cover change the case of forests. LLydrological Processes 12, 1983-1984. 

Other than longer-term supply issues the main driver for moving away from fossil resources is pollution. Since pre-industrial times the level of atmospheric CO2 has risen from 280 ppm to 360 ppm, and whilst some observers believe this may be a natural cycle in the Earth s history, most believe it is a direct consequence of burning fossil fuels. This additional CO2 is now thought to be the main cause of global warming via the greenhouse effect (see Box 6.1). 

However, as a general observation, this study demonstrated the feasibility of the integrated modeling approach to couple an environmental multimedia and a PBPK models, considering multi-exposure pathways, and thus the potential applicability of the 2-FUN tool for health risk assessment. The global sensitivity analysis effectively discovered which input parameters and exposure pathways were the key drivers of Pb concentrations in the arterial blood of adults and children. This information allows us to focus on predominant input parameters and exposure pathways, and then to improve more efficiently the performance of the modeling tool for the risk assessment. 

Beise, M. (2004). Lead markets country-specific drivers of the global diffusion of innovations. Research Policy, 33, 997-1018. 

Compared to the global market for PE film applications (approximately 30,000 kt in 2007), the market for biodegradable polymers (65 kt in 2007 excluding loose fill applications) represents a small niche segment, which has been established over the last decade. The competitive advantages and market drivers of biodegradable polymers in specific applications are based on ... 

Fig. 4.3 Growth drivers of the global liquid crystal market.

Raupach MR, Marland G, Ciais P et al (2007) Global and regional drivers of accelerating C02 emissions. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 104(24) 10288-10293... 

Some attention has focused on the prevention of CO2 release from the Antarctic surface by sea ice cover as a potential driver of glacial/intergla-cial CO2 change (Stephens and Keeling, 2000). Though the mechanism is essentially physical, it nevertheless would cause an increase in the global... 

For DuPont, the business case of sustainability lies in it being a growth engine. Sustainability is the driver of innovations, both technical and in delivery to the market. Finding solutions to global societal needs, such as access to clean energy, safe food, shelter, and information, presents new business opportunities for DuPont and the industry. 

Another important driver of the softener market is the globalization of formulations to reduce costs. Besides scale reduction, globalization enables the centralization of product development. Habits, preferences, and devices, however, vary from country to country. A global technology has to be adjusted to local habits as well as the different washing equipment. 

In terms of quantities used globally, vetiveryl acetate is the most importont derivative. Vetiverol is the second most used product, while vetivone remains the item with the smallest use. Considering these global applications, it is clear that a key driver of vetiver essential oil usage is its vetiverol or sesquiterpenic alcohol content. 

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