The global object in JavaScript is a key concept that determines the scope of variables and functions, which can be accessed in different environments such as browser windows, Node.js, and web workers. Understanding how the global object works is crucial to avoid negative impacts on application functionality, performance, and security. The introduction of `globalThis` has standardized access to the global object, providing consistency across environments and scopes. It's essential to use global variables and functions strategically to maintain code readability, prevent namespace pollution, and reduce the risk of show-stopping bugs that can lead to sensitive data loss. By leveraging tools like Contentful, developers can focus on building reliable user experiences while minimizing the complexity of backend code.