1. SOCI 100 Introduction To Sociology
Answer:
Title Of The Document And Date Of Creation
Topic: Effectiveness Of Documents In Creating Social Change
The document is entitled, Environmental Bill of Rights, 1993, S.O. 1993, c. 28. From the title,
it could be inferred that the document was created in 1993. The last amendment date was
August 2020. Based on these pieces of information, A grade is apt, as the title and date,
along with the revision date is also provided (Ontario.ca, 2022).
Goal Of The Organization Which Created The Document
Ontario government created the document entitled, Environmental Bill of Rights, 1993, S.O.
1993, c. 28, for making the people realize the value of protecting the ecological biodiversity
of the natural environment, and take part in protection, conservation, and restoration of the
natural environment. Grade A is justified, as the document is presented on the website of
Ontario government, clearly specifying the goal of making the people realize the value of
protecting, conserving and restoring the ecological biodiversity of the environment
(Ontario.ca, 2022).
Application
The document, Environment Bill of Rights, 1993, S.O. 1993, c. 28 is applicable for the people
of Ontario, Canada in terms of their contribution towards maintaining the ecological
diversity of the environment. The document is also applicable for the government, who, in
response to the guidance of Her Majesty, and consent of Legislative Assembly, needs to take
primary responsibility in ensuring that the goal of protecting, preserving, and restoring the
ecological biodiversity of nature is fulfilled (Ontario.ca, 2022). Grade B is awarded to the
aspect of application of the document, as it is satisfactory, but improvements could be made
in terms of globalizing the initiative. This is because the document could be made applicable
for the people of other countries.
Purpose Or Goal Of The Document
The Document Of Environment Bill Of Rights, Aims At:
2. Protecting, conserving, and restoring the integrity of the environment
Providing sustainable development
Protecting the basic and fundamental rights in access to healthful environment (Ontario.ca,
2022)
In view of these purposes, grade A is apt, as there is clarity in the purpose, completing the
thoughts of protecting the natural environment.
Further Research On The Topic
Documents like the Environment Bill of Rights, introduced by the government, in response
to the initiatives of Legislative Assembly, are passed in public interest. The aim is to make
the public aware about the drives and initiatives, which are in work for gifting them a better
place to live in. Once the documents are passed, the public are expected to follow the
expectations, which would yield positive outcomes. Nationally, most of the people are
following the expectation, except some. The exceptions are those who do not pay heed to
the need for protecting or preserving the natural resources for the future generation. They
exploit the resources beyond their needs, which has resulted in depletion of the resources.
In spite of several advertising campaigns, these sections of people fail to realize the
consequences on a broader context (Doelle & Sinclair, 2019). They are selfish, as they are
getting the readymade resources, always available to them. The repercussion of this
attitude is evident in the lifestyle of the poor strata of the society, who are leading a life of
inadequacies. flora and fauna are also the victims, as people are cutting down trees for their
own purpose, making the beaches dirty, in spite of seeing the dustbins. Based on these
aspects, Benidickson, (2020) argues that the aspect of social change, introduced by
government is effective for making the people realize about the impending threats on the
environment, which they would have to witness on a broader context, if exploitations are
not controlled immediately. In this context, Environment Bill of Rights is an accurate step.
The aspect of protecting and preserving the natural environment, is enhanced and
strengthened through passing of Environment Bills of Rights (Sumudu & Andrea, 2019).
Clarifying the goals and purpose of protecting, conserving, and restoring the integrity of the
environment, providing Sustainable Development and protecting the basic and
fundamental rights in access to healthful environment adds proper direction to the drive to
achieving social change in the way environment is cared (Clément, 2018). Document form of
Environment Bill of Right, uploaded in the website of Ontario government website indicates
collaborative attempts towards restoring the lost glory of the environment due to global
warming, pollution, and others. People accessing the website get to know about the steps
taken by Commissioner towards protecting the ecological biodiversity of environment.
Knowing about the governmental approaches, the people could contribute by taking the
initiative of making judicious use of resources (Miron, 2018). If the people are conscious
about protecting and preserving the natural resources, then it could be effective for adding
proper direction towards embracing social change. If the focus is placed on people in rural
3. areas, especially in terms of providing access to the basic natural resources, then the
document, Environment Bill of Rights would be justified (Energy.gov, 2013). This is because
looking after the access would evoke equality in the share of resources, according to the
needs, demands, and requirements of the people.
Revision of the document, Environment Bill of Rights, and stating it in the document
uploaded in the website is something really effective, substantiating to the purpose or goal.
More the people become aware about the trends adopted for preserving the ecological
biodiversity of the natural environment, more would be the efforts towards ensuring that
there is enough for the use of future generations. It is the contribution of the people, which
is needed for initiating appropriate social change and issuing it in public interest, making
the planet a better place to live in (Cela.ca, 2022). This approach would ensure decorum,
harmony, and peace. Advertisement campaigns in social networking channels would be
effective for making more people aware about the ways in which natural environment could
be protected, preserved.
Based on the above research, the following report card could be prepared for Environment
Bill of Rights by Ontario government, Canada:
Category
Grade
Justification (based on research
APA referencing
Potential of the document to improve quality of life and encourage social change
A
4. Clarity in goal towards making the people realize the value of protecting, conserving and
restoring the ecological biodiversity of the environment
Ontario.ca (2022). Environmental Bill of Rights, 1993, S.O. 1993, c. 28. Retrieved 16th Jan
2022 from https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/93e28
Practicality of expectations or suggestions in terms of the degree of practice by the average
citizen
B
Based on the research, the grade is justified, as the people who have access to the bill
practice actions related to conserving, protecting and restoring the ecological biodiversity
of the environment.
Clément, D. (2018). Human rights or social justice? The problem of rights inflation. The
International Journal of Human Rights, 22(2), 155-169.
[https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/13642987.2017.1349245]
Clarity of the document regarding access to the citizens
A
In view of the purposes, grade A is apt, as there is clarity in the purpose, completing the
5. thoughts of protecting the natural environment.
Cela.ca (2022). Law Reform: Ontario's Environmental Bill of Rights. Retrieved 16th Jan 2022
from https://cela.ca/law-reform-ontarios-environmental-bill-of-rights/
Compliance with the expectations and suggestions in terms of practice and ignorance
B
Nationally, most of the people are following the expectation, except some. The exceptions
are those who do not pay heed to the need for protecting or preserving the natural
resources for the future generation. They exploit the resources beyond their needs, which
has resulted in depletion of the resources. In spite of several advertising campaigns, these
sections of people fail to realize the consequences on a broader context, which is felt in the
form of dearth of natural resources, pollution related deaths, poverty, malnutrition and
others
Doelle, M., & Sinclair, A. J. (2019). The new IAA in Canada: From revolutionary thoughts to
reality. Environmental Impact Assessment Review, 79, 106292.
[https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eiar.2019.106292]
Need for improvements
B
6. On the assertions and propositions made in the research, it could be stated that Grade B is
awarded to the aspect of application of the document, as it is satisfactory, but
improvements could be made in terms of globalizing the initiative. This is because the
document could be made applicable for the people of other countries.
Miron, I. (2018). The importance of Ontario’s Environmental Bill of Rights: What you need
to know. [online] Available at: https://ecojustice.ca/the-importance-of-ontarios-
environmental-bill-of-rights-what-you-need-to-know/ [Accessed on 16th Jan 2022]
References
Benidickson, J. (2020). Environmental Law in Canada. Kluwer Law International BV.
[https://books.google.co.in/books?hl=en&lr=&id=dfDSDwAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PT11&dq=e
nvironment+bill+of+rights+canada&ots=rPoEXPfpJu&sig=LJ0exTnpTKEn1KSqOZLfCvEkq_o
#v=onepage&q=environment%20bill%20of%20rights%20canada&f=false]
Cela.ca (2022). Law Reform: Ontario's Environmental Bill of Rights. Retrieved 16th Jan 2022
from https://cela.ca/law-reform-ontarios-environmental-bill-of-rights/
Clément, D. (2018). Human rights or social justice? The problem of rights inflation. The
International Journal of Human Rights, 22(2), 155-169.
[https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/13642987.2017.1349245]
Doelle, M., & Sinclair, A. J. (2019). The new IAA in Canada: From revolutionary thoughts to
reality. Environmental Impact Assessment Review, 79, 106292.
[https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eiar.2019.106292]
Energy.gov (2013). Ontario’s Environmental Bill of Rights and You. Retrieved 16th Jan 2022
from https://www.energy.gov/sites/prod/files/2015/06/f22/OEBRG.pdf
Miron, I. (2018). The importance of Ontario’s Environmental Bill of Rights: What you need
to know. [online] Available at: https://ecojustice.ca/the-importance-of-ontarios-
environmental-bill-of-rights-what-you-need-to-know/ [Accessed on 16th Jan 2022]
Ontario.ca (2022). Environmental Bill of Rights, 1993, S.O. 1993, c. 28. Retrieved 16th Jan
2022 from https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/93e28
7. Sumudu, A., & Andrea, S. (2019). Human rights and the environment: key issues. Routledge.
[https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/mono/10.4324/9781315193397/human-rights-
environment-atapattu-sumudu-schapper-andrea]
