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Stakeholders and their Interests or Concerns
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Stakeholders and their Interests or Concerns
Known to have adverse effects on the environment and the population at large if not well contained, some chemical wastes that if released to the environment will not only affect the immediate surrounding but also maintain the trend to the coming generations for a long period.
A government in its rightful position obligates to protect its citizens from such harmful exposures through either organizing proper disposals of the chemical wastes or banning the exploitation of resources that cause more harm than good. Implementation of strict laws should be the order of the day in curbing the dubious behaviors of multinationals that engage in this kind of exploitation.
Chevron has continuously assaulted the environment and destroyed lives in different countries all over the world where the corporation owns plants with its many effects visible and evident (Rainforest Action Network, 1). The drill for oil in the Amazon rain forest in northern Ecuador produces 18.5 gallons of toxic wastes that dumps into the streams where the population drinks and bathes. This dumping goes to the books of history as the largest environmental disaster by man ever. The waste contained lethal concentrations of some of the most dangerous chemicals known to man. The corporation considered this the only way of reducing costs of production by $3 a barrel leading to a sick population. The children and newborns, as the rates of defective births increased alarmingly felt the effects of the dumping.
The chemicals also caused ruptured pipelines that lead to gas flaring. The lives of the Ecuadorians were affected greatly many sectors of the economy from fishing to farming were threatened by the dumping (Rainforest Action Network, 1). Drinking he contaminated water was hazardous to the health of the people forcing them to seek alternative ways of life.
A ruptured pipe in Richmond California plant caused a fire, and instead of the corporation working on ensuring safety to the people, it has been trying to update the plant to process heavier oil grades that translate into increased rates of asthma, cancer, and heart diseases.
The corporation’s income policy far overrides the population safety as its depicted in the Alberta tar Sands oil reserve that the Canadian government considered the most destructive project on earth (Desmogblog, 1). The corporation ignored the reputational and competitive risks regarding the project and has since caused environmental impact to Canada with the destruction of habitats, formation of toxic lakes and clear cutting of Boreal forest.
Desmogblog (1) reveals that the corporation’s plan to keep its shareholders from voting on a resolution to the addressing of climate-related risks asking the corporation to address risks related to: water resources, biodiversity, and indigenous populations show how the company cannot handle the situations they create.
Corporations that engage in activities that impact on the environment should first pass an environmental assessment test for the safety of a nation’s biodiversity and indigenous populations. The government should impose strict penalties on these corporations in case of violation of such rules that put the interest of the population first. Shareholders too should not only look at what trickles into their pockets but on the welfare of the population that provides them with resources for their success.
Works Cited
Desmogblog. “Top 10 Facts About the Alberta Oil sands”. 11 Mar. 2007. Web. 01 Mar. 2013.
Rainforest Action Network. “Chevron’s Toxic Legacy in Ecuador”. 03 Feb. 2011. Web. 28 Feb. 2013.
Summary Rethinking the Meat-Guzzler
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Summary: Rethinking the Meat-Guzzler
A comparison of meat and oil
Adverse effects of meat factories on the environment, human health and animals themselves
Remedies to negative consequences of meat factories
Consumer awareness of costs of industrial meat production
Reconciling environmental protection and demand for animal products
The article ‘Rethinking the Meat-Guzzler’ was written by Mark Bittman and published in The New York Times in 2008. It talks about production of meat in meat factories, its disadvantages and possible remedies. Meat and oil share several characteristics; both are subsidized by the federal government, increasing demand and overconsumption. Demand for meat globally has grown by unprecedented levels. Americans’ consumption of meat has increased by 50 pounds per person from 50 years ago. This is due to increase in wealth as well as the increase in meat factories. Total meat supply in the world had doubled since the 1960s, and is expected to double further by 2050. Meat prices have mostly held steady and even price spikes are not expected to affect demand.
The effects of these meat factories are adverse, release of greenhouse gases, pollution of water bodies, and consumption of huge quantities of grain that has led to destruction of rainforests to grow crops. More meat production means a higher demand for feed like grains. Most of the soy and corn grown in the world feeds livestock, despite the fact that about 800 million people suffer from malnutrition worldwide. Animal factories produce about a fifth of total greenhouse gases, which is higher than levels produced by the transport industry.
Mass growing of grain to feed livestock in meat factories cause water quality problems in rivers and streams. Such a diet increased the efficiency of mass production and confinement. Antibiotics administered to livestock in these factories have caused cases of antibiotic resistance in human beings. Other consequences on the health of humans include causing cancer, diabetes and heart disease.
There are several measures that can be put in place to remedy the many problems caused by meat consumption and production especially in meat factories. The first is better waste management. Removal of subsidies by the federal government would also go a long way. Better farming practices such as livestock breeding would reduce the detrimental effects of meat farming. Technology is another area that must be explored. In vitro production of meat is a real possibility in the future. Animal waste can be used to generate electricity. Grazing is a viable alternative as well, although it would reduce production capacities by a big margin.
In order to make real changes to industrial meat farming, consumers need to be made aware of the real costs such as degradation of water bodies and dumping of wastes. Animal welfare should also be a concern in large meat factories where animals are confined. It is also more worthwhile to use grain to feed starving fellow human beings over livestock. Other effects such as deforestation, diseases, and climate change should also be enough to shift consumers towards more plant and less animal consumption.
Public relations exercises such as those against cigarettes can be effective. Consumers should be encouraged to preserve their environment while prioritizing their health and making the planet a better place. The demand for animal products and environmental protection can be resolved. There have already been positive steps such as Americans choosing to purchase organic foods and meat and dairy products that have been produced sustainably.
Visual Argument Essay
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Visual Argument Essay
‘A picture is worth a thousand words’ is a famous statement, and one that is very true. An image can be used to deliver an intended message without the need for any words. Pictures are quite powerful because they can convey emotions and give the viewer an actual feel of a situation rather than just describing it. For example, if a person were to describe a victim severely injured in a car crash, it would have less impact than an image of the same. Pictures employ pathos, ethos, and logos in order to persuade the reader to take a specific stance or action. Disasters are an example of situations where images are more powerful than words. In 2010, a massive earthquake struck Haiti destroying homes and lives, leaving millions homeless, hopeless, and hungry. The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) used powerful images that utilized ethos, pathos, and logos to mobilize aid and donations to Haiti.
The image shows the destruction in the wake of the earthquake, and the focus is on the little girl. The girl is staring off into the distance with rubble and debris behind her. The image elicits an emotional reaction for the viewer because the girl has lost her home and probably her family. Pathos is evident in this case because the viewer will feel sorry for the girl (Wróbel 412), it is clear that she is suffering and there is little hope. Some of the questions that a person would ask after looking at this picture include, where is her family? Has she eaten any food? Where will she sleep? All these elicit pity and will convince the viewer to make a donation to UNICEF, which will help the girl to get her life back. At that particular moment, she has nothing in the world, and no human being would want to imagine a child suffering like that.
Logos is the use of facts and figures to convey an intended message (Wróbel 419). The caption accompanying the image explained that in the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, 90% of schools were destroyed, and children could not get an education. In addition to this, 230,000 people were killed, and over 2000000 displaced from their homes. With forty percent of Haiti’s population under the age of fourteen, children were clearly the most affected in the earthquake (Sanderson et al. 35). From the loss of homes and schools to the loss of loved ones, UNICEF showed up to give any assistance that the children would need to cope with the disaster. On hearing this explanation of the important work that UNICEF does, many people would be motivated to make a donation and be a part of the efforts to save Haiti’s children.
The ethos in the image is that it is from UNICEF, a reputable organization that fights for the rights and freedoms of children all over the world. UNICEF has offices in 190 countries around the globe, showing that it is committed to children’s issues, especially in areas affected by war, famine, terrorism, epidemics, and other natural disasters (Sanderson et al. 39). People can be sure that the donations they make will reach Haiti and make a difference in the lives of the children, given the extensive logistical networks that UNICEF has in many countries.
In conclusion, pathos, ethos, and logos are a vital part of making an argument using an image. The image that UNICEF used to ask people to donate towards the recovery efforts in Haiti was an effective one because it employed these techniques. After looking at the picture, many people made donations to the reputable organization because it elicited an emotional reaction, and the donations would benefit millions in Haiti.
Works Cited
Sanderson, Rebecca Cornelli, et al. “Building resilience in children and their communities following disaster in a developing country: responding to the 2010 earthquake in Haiti.” Journal of Child & Adolescent Trauma 9.1 (2016): 31-41.
Wróbel, Szymon. “Logos, Ethos, Pathos. Classical Rhetoric Revisited.” Polish Sociological Review 191.3 (2015): 401-421.