2. Agenda
Sustainability and the Natural Environment
Roles of Environmental Groups and Government in Environmental Issues
Radicals, Mainstreamers and Accommodators & The Corporation Activity
Colorado River Incident
3. Sustainability and the Natural Environment
The Brundtland Commission (World Commission on Environment and
Development [WCED]) defines sustainable business as: “Business that meets
the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations
to meet their own needs.”
Walking lightly on the Earth
Running the global environment like a corporation
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZBxFU5Ucv8
4. The Impact of Business
The Top 10 fundamental environmental issues
Different Management approaches
Crisis Management
Issues Management
Stakeholder Management
What Level is Ethical? Kohlberg vs Utilitarianism
Not in My Backyard Problem (NIMBY)
5. Role of the Government
1970- Major entrance of government into environmental issues
National Environmental Policy Act
Environmental Protection Agency
Categories of environmental laws and legislation:
Air
Water
Land
6. Radicals, Mainstreamers, Accommodators & The Corporation
Radicals: Groups with confrontational behavior
Mainstreamers: Groups that seek pragmatic reform through both confrontation
and cooperation
Accommodators: Groups that avoid confrontation and are more trusting of
corporations
Ecoterrorists: Different than radicals because they employ violent acts to achieve
goals
7. Radicals, Mainstreamers, Accommodators & The Corporation
The Corporation: Sully Inc. has been contracted to drill oil near the Provo River
Local Government: Recommends a safety precaution which is not legally
required, and is costly to the corporation
Local Interest Group (NIMBY): Members of the Homeowners of Utah County
group have vocalized concerns on social media, and have a history protesting oil
companies [which could result in negative publicity]
Can you please everyone while remaining profitable?
8. Colorado Mine Spill
EPA attempting to clean Gold King Mine
3 Mil. gallons of toxic metals released into animas river (Aug. 5th 2015)
Originally blamed on unstable mine
EPA had info on potential risks
Later blamed on EPA for lack of preparedness
No containment plan in case of emergency
9. Animas Spill backlash
Lack of training and oversight
Long term environmental impact unknown
Decrease in local land value and black labeling
Cleanup cost and resource allocation
Raises question of Superfund program
10.
11.
12. Conclusion
Sustainability is a key component for future generations
With an increase in environmental accidents we need to be more diligent in
avoiding these disasters
Hold corporations accountable for their mistakes
Continue to search for the equilibrium between sustainability and profitability
