When we speak of global events, we are referring to occurrences that have far-reaching impacts and implications beyond the borders of their host nation or culture. These include wars, economic crises, pandemics, and cultural movements with worldwide influence and impact. These events often alter international relations, economic systems, and demographic trends. They may also shape cultural products, such as art or music, reflecting shifting societal issues and values.
By analysing past and current global events, along with the processes of globalisation that facilitate them, geographers gain increased understanding of how these events affect ‘all places’ differently. This is evident by examining the effects of pandemics (such as the Plague, influenza and COVID-19) and the impact of natural disasters.
The Laki eruption, for instance, had an effect upon European and Asian countries through atmospheric haze and ‘dry sulphurous fog’. However, this was short term and affected only a small proportion of the world’s surface, illustrating that whilst globalisation provides the optimum conditions for such events to spread globally, not all such events are ‘global in nature’.
Similarly, the Olympic Games, world expositions, sporting championships and arts festivals can have global impacts that can encourage external investment, boost tourism, stimulate trade and create jobs. However, it is vital that such events are deliberately designed and planned to generate long-term sustainable benefits for the local and wider economy and to demonstrate this via robust monitoring and evaluation frameworks.