Intro:

Throughout this course you've learned how modern supply chains operate around the globe 24/7/365 and realize there is a tremendous amount of commercial activity going on. The world is at an unprecedented level of economic, social, and cultural connectivity - and logistics makes this happens by facilitating the trade in goods & services between nations.

International commerce will continue to grow, and countries will be even more linked for the future. This is reflected by Maersk building 5 new multi-million-dollar container ships and by more free trade agreements being signed every year.

But as you've also realized in this course - there is an environmental cost to all this activity. Ships, trucks, trains, and planes moving around the world all the time burning fossil fuels leaves a huge "carbon footprint". More and more products being purchased everyday leaves a huge hole in the earth's natural resources. Many products contain plastics that do not disintegrate in landfills and some products deplete resources that do not regenerate very quickly .

Resources can use : Supply chain sustainability Issues

And: impact of global warming and climate change on supply chin

questions:

Can the global community maintain or increase the level of supply chain activity we currently have for the foreseeable future?

Are humans creating an irreversible negative impact on the earth's natural resources and our climate?

Are businesses or governments doing enough to protect resources, people, and the environment through commercial practices and laws?

Does modern supply chain activities and global commerce create more negative conditions for people or do they, on the overall, create more positive aspects?