Being a global citizen is one way to tackle major economic and environmental problems faced by the world today. One can promote sustainability by consuming responsibly and supporting companies that tout their sustainability efforts. One can also take part in anti-poverty and anti-discrimination campaigns that advocate for helping people all over the world. One can travel abroad sustainably in order to learn about different cultures and gain a better understanding than one would gain from his/her home country's narrative about them.

There are some downsides to being a global citizen, however. One may not feel as much attachment to one's own home country. One may not feel an urge to help local people with their own anti-poverty and anti-discrimination efforts. One may also be in favor of international trade deals that would benefit large parts of the world but would actually hurt local producers and consumers. One may also not take as much interest in local and state politics even though issues at the local level can be just as important as issues on the global level. One may also feel as though one's efforts are too small to change the world; therefore, a once-aspiring global citizen may fall into an apathetic mindset.

While there are issues with being a global citizen, this mindset is needed to tackle issues such as world hunger and climate change. People need to be able to see beyond their own borders in order to make the world, and their own countries, better places. It is important to take action at the local level as well as speak on issues that affect the entire world. By taking action at the local level, one can see immediate action, and this can provide the encouragement one needs to keep trying to improve the world.

There are pros and cons of global citizenship. Being a global citizen means a person sees things from a worldwide viewpoint and not just from the viewpoint of their own locale or own country. These people look at what is good for the world first, and then they consider the needs of their own country or their own situation. One benefit of being a global citizen is that decisions will be made based on what is best for the world as a whole. People will consider the impact of the decisions that they make based on the impact on the entire world. This action could lead to making the world a better place than it currently is right now.

A negative aspect of being a global citizen is that decisions made in the best interests globally may be harmful to one’s own country. If a country encourages its young people to work abroad to help underdeveloped areas of the world, this might harm the economy at home. Some of the brighter minds may leave their country to work elsewhere. If economic decisions benefit the world, that doesn’t necessarily mean it will be good for one’s own country.

Being a global citizen can be a daunting task. It may seem impossible to make changes that impact people thousands of miles away. However, if one starts on a small scale, it can lead to bigger actions down the road. For example, encouraging recycling efforts locally may lead to more state, national, and international recycling efforts.

The concept of global citizenship encourages people to see themselves as being citizens of the entire world and understanding the interdependence of all living creature in our world rather than identifying simply as a member of a tribe or nation. In many ways, this is extremely positive. It leads us to understand that things like environmental degradation and climate change affect all of us and that, for example, we cannot ignore human rights abuses in the sweat shops in Asia that make clothing or deforestation in Brazil. 

On the negative side, it can induce a sort of apathy or inaction. Most of us cannot have a major impact on the entire world, but we can affect what goes on in our own communities. Thus it is important to "Think globally, but act locally." In other words, if you are concerned about climate change, simply expressing outrage on social media about the global problem doesn't do much to solve it, but fighting to have solar panels installed on the roofs of all school buildings in your town is a small step that can make a big difference. You cannot end global poverty, but you can volunteer at a local food bank. You may not be able to end the oppression of women in the Middle East, but you can donate gently used clothing or free samples of personal care products to a local women's shelter. 

In other words, although it is good to think in general terms as a global citizens, when it comes to actually solving problems, it's important to think and work locally. 

The main positive aspect of global citizenship is that those people who see themselves as global citizens will have a more holistic view of the world.  They will not think first of their own country but will think of what is good for the world as a whole.  This might, for example, lead them to support efforts to fight climate change even if their own country is harmed economically in the short run.  Global citizenship can, then, promote policies that are better for the world.

The major negative aspect of global citizenship is that it can lead to the "good guys" being harmed and the "bad guys" being rewarded.  If the good guys act as stated above, those who refuse to act as global citizens will be rewarded.  They will benefit by gaining economically and they will benefit from the reduction in climate change brought about by others' sacrifices.

Thus, global citizenship can help bring about positive policies, but it can also hurt those who act in the right ways and help those who do not.