Environmental Management and Sustainable Development - Term Paper Example

Environmental management and sustainable development ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT 1 Environmental management and sustainable development 2 Part A One of the most hazardous problems facing the earth today is population. The alarming rate at which population is increasing has an adverse impact on the environment, resulting in its degradation. The population rise demands more of resources, which in turn means higher production, increased pollution and thereby greater harm to the environment. Nowadays, people are consuming more than they need and according to their greed. Australia, too, is facing the challenges of environmental degradation and development. The country, through certain principles and mechanisms, supports the need for effective use of resources, saving the environment and sustainable development globally. Well, some of the principles laid down in Selected Reading 2.8 are of help in fighting the environmental challenges, but some are not so effective. Lets say, for instance the precautionary principle that requires countries to implement measures so as to prevent environmental damage. This principle, if followed religiously, is useful and essential. Prevention is better than cure, as goes the age-old saying and all countries, irrespective of scientific and technological capability, must take measures to prevent damage, particularly the irreversible ones. On the other hand, the second principle of 'equitable sharing of international costs and benefits' that requires all nations to share the costs and benefits of environmental adjustments, equitably is not pragmatic. Not all nations are capable enough to share the costs. Some countries are poor, some rich. Some are developing, some developed and others underdeveloped. So, it won't be fair to ask all of them to share costs equitably. Meanwhile, some countries, especially the underdeveloped, developing and poor ones, might require a greater share of the benefits to implement the precautionary measures. So, the principle must be reviewed and be formulated in such a way that the countries pay costs according to their ability and benefits according to their need. If the environment faces any damage, it would impact every one, irrespective of who paid how much. So, a practical approach is what is required. However, the other principles, as far as my opinion is concerned, are important and will prove of great help in the fight. For example, the principle of the present generation ensuring that the future generation gets at least a healthy environment that's worth living in. We must make sure that we do not waste resources now and leave a sufficient amount for our next generation. So, we must use more of renewable resources rather than the non-renewable ones. 2 Environmental management and sustainable development 3 Besides, the principles of avoiding irreversible damage to the environment, valuing environmental assets appropriately and the thought that the polluter and the user pays will help in preventing environment degradation substantially. Last but not the least, the principle of maintaining consistency between international trade and environmental obligations and also the trade distortion and proportionality principle are quite relevant and important. So, I feel but for the equitable sharing of costs and benefits, the other principles are strong enough and if implemented to very letter, will play a significant role in fighting the challenges that stare the world in the face. 3 Environmental management and sustainable development 4 Part B-1. Out of all the layers of the atmosphere, Ozone (O3) layer is the most essential because it protects us from the harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun. However, the rapid increase in pollution and emission of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) from industries, automobiles and refrigerators and air conditioners, is causing damage to the O3 layer, resulting in an increase in various skin diseases these days. If the O3 layer continues to deplete in this manner, the earth would soon be burning and there would be no life on it. Well, but the damage to the O3 layer is not something unknown or unheard of. It was realized long back and CFCs were put under the 'Controlled Substances' category in the Montreal Protocol. As per the Protocol, the Parties to it vowed to follow certain measures to protect the O3 layer from depletion. The countries, Parties here, that went into force in September 1987 in Vienna, vowed compliance in living up to the guidelines laid down in the Montreal Protocol. According to it, 'the parties would discourage production, emission, import and export of the controlled substances that cause depletion of the O3 layer.' Also, the parties are called for submitting reports and be transparent in their use of CFCs. I feel that the likely effects of the Montreal Protocol and the report of the Ozone Trends Panel would be shrinkage of the market structure of the CFCs and finally in its elimination over the years. The Parties to the Protocol are meant to control emission and usage of the CFCs. They are also required to discourage the export to or import from non-parties. So, most likely, the use of CFCs would become very limited within the parties to the protocol and it would also shrink in nations that are not parties but have vowed compliance to the parties for trade purposes. Also, according to the protocol, the developed parties are meant to provide technical and financial support to the developing parties so that they use alternative substances that require more scientific advancement and are more expensive. So, on political market place the effect is likely to be in the form of greater cooperation among the parties, irrespective of the financial state and scientific knowledge of the parties addressed. The O3 depletion is a serious problem the entire world is facing and therefore all the countries of the earth need to come together and say no to CFCs. 4 Environmental management and sustainable development 5 2. E.I. Du Pont de Nemours and Company was founded in early 1800s. It is an explosives manufacture and the leader in producing CFCs. It made whopping $600 million from its CFCs business in 1987, when the Montreal Protocol was introduced. It was the leader in opposing any restrictions on CFCs, which it described as useful chemicals. It's no doubt that Du Pont was not against the international restriction on CFCs production, but it did not approve of a unilateral decision of the United States. However, it was criticized for its opposition to something that was in favor of saving the environment. The implications for Du Pont are that it must reduce the production of CFCs and put in more effort towards producing its substitutes that are less harmful for the stratosphere, especially the O3 layer. The damage to the O3 layer is a burning issue and since it has been brought to light through extensive study and research that CFCs act as catalysts in damaging the protective sheath of the earth, Du Pont must contribute in preserving that layer rather than damaging it. If the production of substitutes of the CFCs involves greater costs, Du Pont can approach the government for financial aid, but it's not fair on its part to continue producing toxic substances only because they are less expensive. Every firm owes some Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and being a leader in its field, Du Pont must do something about it rather than sitting and watching the devastation. The company has contributed a lot towards technical advancement and harnessing science for commercial purposes. It invented fabrics like Nylon, Teflon, Lycra and Dacron. So, now it must use its scientific and technological expertise towards preserving the environment and at least in keeping the earth healthy enough for survival. The options for Du Pont are to tap renewable resources and manufacture goods that can be recycled as well. Also, it must find an alternative for the CFCs, which are also found to have been contributing to global warming. It is however, correct in its view regarding the restrictions be imposed globally. The modification of the O3 layer cannot be checked by regulating just one firm or one nation. All countries of the earth are required to stand up jointly in the fight for preserving the environment and saving the earth from the disaster it is heading towards. 5 Environmental management and sustainable development 6 3. When CFCs were put under the 'Controlled Substances' category, it was the biggest challenge for 'Joe Glas, who ran the Freon products division of Du Pont.' The company, which was the largest producer of CFCs, 'marketed them under the name Freon.' It was a business that accounted $600 million in revenues for the company and Glas was faced with a situation where the products the company dealt in were under scanner. Glas had evaded the need to reduce and then stop production of CFCs altogether on grounds of uncertainty regarding the role of CFCs in ozone depletion. However, a report by the Ozone Trends Panel had it finally that the CFCs role as being hazardous to the Ozone layer and also in global warming was established. It was time for Glas to decide and decide quickly on what the company intended to do. Well, I would recommend Glas to give in to the government and change the company's strategy of production. Any thing that is in the common interest and that too in favor of the environment that is essential for our survival, must be given top priority. Although the company must be benefiting a lot from the CFCs business at that time, but since its production was put under control, the benefit can be said to have been only for a short-term. In the long run, Du Pont would certainly have to give it up. Something is better than nothing and in Du Pont's case too, it will have to stop its business some day or the other. According to exhibits, the regulations imposed on CFCs resulted in its reduction up to 50% only two years after. If the O3 layer is damaged further and the more of the harmful ultra violet rays reach the earth, all will have to suffer equally. So, Glas must direct the company to use its skill and expertise towards devising ways and means to prevent any further damage to the protective sheath. The company will benefit even more from something that preserves the environmental amenities rather than something that causes its degradation. Moreover, the benefit would be for quite a long term and the company will not be under threat of being asked to shut operations any day. Glas's one wise judgment will save the company from any ill fate and also the earth from future damage. 6 Environmental management and sustainable development 7 Part C The case of Du Pont is certainly relevant because proper environmental management and sustainable development is the need of the hour. Global warming, Ozone depletion and environmental degradation are evidently burning issues that have been in discussion for a long time now. Even today there are many companies like Du Pont that contribute to pollution and are required to show exhibit more corporate social responsibility. But unfortunately, faced by problems of higher costs, less benefit and sometimes even the decision to shut shop, these companies choose to stick to their production strategies and be opposed to any thing that comes in their way. Just like in the case of Du Pont, a time will come when such companies will exceed the tolerance level and will cease to exist. Lets say for example, companies which deal in the manufacture and extensive use of plastic or carcinogenic substances or even use of too much of non-renewable resources cannot go on in the way they are. There will be restrictions imposed on them and they will have to face it. There are also some companies that are involving themselves in the production of green products and such products that emit less toxic wastes during production, but just a few companies going green will not serve even a fraction of the purpose. What about companies that produce toxic products, not only wastes They too have to come forward and participate in the green products cause. This major environmental challenge that the world is facing today cannot be resolved by only one country, one firm or any individual. The entire world has to work towards preserving the earth and making it fit for survival. It's the duty of every individual to give to their successors what they got from their predecessors-at least a healthy and safe earth to live in. 7 References: Material provide by the customer Benedick, RE 1991, Ozone diplomacy: new directions in safeguarding the planet, Harvard University Press, USA, pp. 230-41, 198. 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