2.3 Current Geographic Issues

A huge regional economy and still-plentiful resources privilege North America, but the region faces complex challenges posed by globalization, an increasingly diverse population, and rising energy and environmental concerns. These long-standing issues must be understood now in the context of a globalized world in which economic downturns impact life everywhere. Meanwhile, both Canada and the United States face mounting pressure to help resolve a wide range of global conflicts and disaffections arising from widening disparities of wealth and opportunity at home and abroad. The two countries address these responsibilities in different ways. At the global level, Canada, with a smaller population yet large resource base, exercises primarily persuasive and diplomatic skills; it dispenses more nonmilitary foreign aid per citizen than does the United States. The United States, because of its huge economy and leadership in geopolitical affairs, tends to take a more proactive global role that often leads to joint military actions with allies against perceived mutual threats. Canada provides more social services for its citizens than does the United States. It also is more energy independent.