Loss of cultural diversity

Cultural holocaust
Declining cultural diversity
Endangered human cultural diversity

Nature

Cultural diversity is a reflection of people's connection to their local environment, to the living world. Centuries of conquest, colonialism and "development" have already eroded much of the world's cultural diversity, but economic globalization is rapidly accelerating the process.

Incidence

According to UNESCO, approximately 40% of the world’s estimated 6,700 languages are at risk of disappearing, with one language dying every two weeks. The loss of cultural diversity is particularly acute in regions with high linguistic variety, such as Papua New Guinea and parts of Sub-Saharan Africa. Globalization, urbanization, and the spread of dominant cultures have accelerated the decline of traditional practices, languages, and knowledge systems worldwide.
In 2010, the Ainu language of Japan was declared critically endangered by UNESCO, with only a handful of fluent speakers remaining. This reflected a broader erosion of Ainu cultural practices and identity in Hokkaido, Japan.

Claim

Cultural diversity is more than appearance, more than folklore, song and dance. It is the embodiment of values, institutions and patterns of behaviour. It is a composite whole representing a people's historical experience, aspirations and world-view. Deprive a people of their language, culture and spiritual values and they lose all sense of direction and purpose.

Counter-claim

The notion that the loss of cultural diversity is a significant problem is overstated. In an increasingly globalized world, cultures naturally evolve and blend, fostering innovation and unity. The idea that we must cling to every tradition stifles progress and adaptation. Embracing a more homogenized culture can lead to greater understanding and cooperation among people. Instead of lamenting cultural loss, we should celebrate the opportunities for collaboration and shared experiences that a more interconnected world offers.