Lesson 5.2
Lesson 2—Actions and Policies
Which actions and policies impact the environment?
Get Focused
In April 2008 Syncrude, a company that extracts oil from the oil sands in northern Alberta, announced that 500 migratory birds died after landing in a Syncrude tailings pond.
A tailings pond holds the leftover metal dust from mineral extractions. A pond is created by covering the metal dust with water to prevent the dust from becoming airborne. This allows the metals to settle to the bottom of the pond.
Tailings ponds were never intended for use by wildlife or people. Covers and noise equipment to prevent wildlife from entering the ponds are typically used. Syncrude had not activated the noise equipment that would have deterred the migratory birds from landing in this particular tailings pond. Exposure to the toxic pond was fatal to nearly all the birds that landed. Wildlife organizations were able to rescue less than five birds.
Syncrude was criticized by many for failing to prevent this disaster. Beyond the failure to ensure safety, Syncrude was also condemned for supporting the business of tar sands extractions over environmental sustainability. A company apology to the public was featured in the media along with the commitment to do better next time.
What relationship did this environmental disaster have with globalization?
Notebook
This is a required activity to support Get Focused but will not be graded.
In your Notebook record key ideas from Get Focused.
Internet
Investigate the business of Syncrude. Go to the Syncrude website. Compare its stated vision and values and its current report on environmental stewardship and sustainability.
Assignment
Please complete the Section 1 Lesson 2 Explore Assignment at this point.
Explore 2
Explore 2
What are the perspectives on the role of globalization in sustaining our environment?
In Explore 1 you may have found that opportunities of globalization may drive some people and countries to place economic success above the sustainability of the environment. Is this always the impact of globalization? Is it possible that globalization may aid in sustaining the environment?
Notebook
In your Notebook, record key ideas from Explore 2.
Read
Read about the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) on page 307 in Perspectives on Globalization. How can globalization respond to issues of environmental sustainability? Record your key ideas in your Notebook.
Internet
Corporations are going green. The Hewlett-Packard (HP) Development Company is one example of a multinational corporation that is attempting to demonstrate a balance between economic benefits and environmental sustainability in a globalizing world. HP is in the business of digital technologies such as computers, cameras, and printers. The environment and Eco Solutions are now features of its business.
- Go to the HP website and click on “Company Information” and then “Environment.” Explore the “Eco Solutions” web page. View videos on HP’s participation in the environment and the World Wildlife Federation program on climate change.
Is it possible to be green and profitable? What effect do the manufacture, marketing, use, and disposal of digital technologies have on the environment? Record your key ideas in your Notebook.
- The Global Issues website features articles on sustainable development. Use the website search tool to locate “The Impact of Richer Nations on the Environment.” Find out what Vandana Shiva identifies as environmental impacts in the quote from Stolen Harvest. How has globalization impacted the environment? Record your key ideas in your Notebook.
- The Global Envision website features an article that explores whether there are environmental benefits to globalization. Use the website search tool to find the 2004 article entitled “The Environmental Benefits of Globalization.” Can globalization encourage environmental sustainability? Record your key ideas in your Notebook.
This is a required activity to support Explore 2.
Select one multinational corporation to research.
- What is the environmental track record of this corporation?
- What commitments to the environment has this corporation made?
Record your key ideas in your Notebook.
Assignment
Please complete the Globalization and Environmental Sustainability Assignment at this time.