Depiction of Oil Sands Pollution in Waterways in Canadian Print Media - Case Study Example

Depiction of ‘Oil sands pollution in waterways’ in Canadian Print Media “Dis s construct meanings and relationships, helping to define common sense and legitimate knowledge. Each discourse rests on assumptions, judgments and contentions that provide the basic terms for analysis, debates, agreements and disagreements" Dryzek, 2005 The causes of environmental issues as well as the policies to address them are largely influenced by human perceptions, and the media acts as a vital tool in communicating the same to the public at large. The environmental discourses in the media not only help in influencing the perceptions of people but also help in understanding the workings of the natural world in a broader perspective. Such a broadened understanding in turn helps in effective policy formulation and resolve issues in an amicable manner. The depiction of environmental issues by the media has increased significantly, over the last couple of decades. Various environmental groups as well as government departments have been relying on the media heavily, for promotion of their self-interests as well as for raising awareness regarding the depletion of sources and encouraging the public to support their cause. Such an alliance of the media and the environmental groups / and or other groups endorsing environmental issues; often raises significant issues related to government policy formulation, risk to public life, etc. among others. This paper aims to study and analyze the issue of “oil sands pollution” in Canadian waterways as represented by the Canadian print media – especially the newspapers. For this purpose articles from some select newspapers such as The Globe and Mail, Edmonton Journal, The Gazette, and The Vancouver Sun are chosen for analysis. Dryzek has identified several discourses associated with environmental problems such as - Survivalism, Environmental problem solving, Sustainability, Green radicalism, Administrative rationalism, Democratic pragmatism, Economic rationalism and Sustainable development. The articles discussed below, will seek to identify and analyze some such discourses and assess their relevance and impact, generated by the print media. Article 1: Background: In this article the writer has discussed about the rising level of pollution around the Athabasca River and its tributaries on account of emissions from oil sands. In order to lend credibility to the arguments presented in the article the writer has included a research paper presenting contradictory views of the energy industry and the Alberta government regarding the underlying causes of this issue. The writer has directed criticism towards the industry as well as the government, holding them accountable for the rising level of water pollution and the resulting harm caused to the aquatic life. The motive of the writer is to highlight the issue of oil sands emissions as being a major cause of water pollution, and the same has been prominently depicted in the title of the article. Although, it has also been stated in the article that the government has denied the findings of this report, the main motive is to raise alarm over the findings of the study included in the article and level accusations at the energy industry as well as the government by holding them accountable for environmental degradation. Key environmental discourses: In this article the environmental discourse – “Green Radicalism” can be clearly identified. According to Dryzek, the values endorsed by modern industrial society are not compatible with the values required to protect and preserve the environment and that persistent policies adopted by the government to promote industrial growth and development may lead to long term damage to the ecosphere. The study cited by this writer has clearly raised concerns over the working of the energy industry and the lack of effective action taken by the government, thus propagating the concept and need of Green Radicalism to bring about meaningful positive changes in the environment (Burchell, Lightfoot, 2001). Survivalism is another such environmental discourse which can be identified in the article. This discourse recognizes that the contemporary industrial structure and the economic functions of modern times will eventually lead to the depletion of earths natural resources. The article states that the presence of oil sands is dangerous for the aquatic life thus endangering the species. A few statistics are also included in the paper, suggesting the need for a radical change for preserving the natural resources (Burchell, Lightfoot, 2001). Article 2: Background: The basic underlying motive of this article is to emphasize the environmental degradation caused by oil sands industry and the role of government in protecting the environment. The writer has clearly held the government accountable for their lack luster policies so far, which have failed in preserving the ecosystems in Canada. The writer further states that: “Pollution from the industry is rising, the landscape is being damaged by unfettered development, and there are plans to double production over the next few years, which will only increase the damage” thus clearly indicating that the rising economic activities and unmonitored industrial growth has caused the deterioration of natural resources and if adequate steps are not taken it may increase the damage caused so far. The writer has also stated that the damage caused is on account of the mismanagement by the respective government departments thus indicating a need for a major change, and formulation of effective policies to help protect further degradation of the environment. Furthermore the title of the article helps in identifying the motive of the writer behind this article. It indicates that the writer intends to convey that two opposing groups i.e. the environmentalists and the industry responsible for causing environmental damage can work hand in hand, and does not dismiss the idea of a peaceful co-existence. Key environmental discourses: This article too, uses the “Green Radicalism” discourse. The writer has indicated that the rising industrial growth has contributed significantly towards the rising level of pollution and the resultant economic degradation. As stated above, this discourse rejects the existing structure of the society which is heavily influenced by the presence of large number of industries and calls for human participation to help restore the natural environment, which has been damaged on account of rapid economic development. There is also a hint of “Democratic Pragmatism” – an environmental discourse which treats the government – not as a sole unitary body, but as a “multiplicity of decision making processes populated by citizens” (Poncelet, 2004). This discourse calls for the united efforts by various sections of the society such as the general public, environmentalists, scientists and researchers to work along with the government and help in developing an amicable solution to help preserve the environment. In this article the writer has mentioned that the government has failed in fulfilling its responsibility and thereby called for public participation, (and not only the experts), to enforce the laws designed to protect the environment and thus play a role in preventing further environmental damage. The key logic behind this discourse lies in the fact that people motivated by a broader public interest can work more effectively in managing the natural resources and help in developing a plan through cooperative management. This article also uses the environmental discourse called Sustainability which entails that modern industrial growth can go hand in hand with nature through positive sustainable development policies and understanding. It states that industrial growth need not be halted to preserve the environment but in fact it can progress without harming the environment through development of effective policies and through citizen participation. Lastly, it also indicates Administrative Rationalism which highlights the role played by experts in resolving such complex issues and stresses on social relationships rather than bureaucratic hierarchy. The article has mentioned that the government has expressed willingness to consult different expert groups as a means to resolve the issue. Article 3: Background: In this article the writer has stated views which reject the claims of pollution caused by oil sands in the Athabasca River, stating that it is not a reason for concern and that the compounds detected are of insignificant levels. The writer has mentioned studies by scientists which suggest that the toxins found in the river are not solely on account of the industrial growth around the region, but are in fact on account of some naturally occurring substances in the water. Contradictory studies have also been mentioned in the article which reject such claims made by the government and insist that the industrial development around the water basins are indeed the reason for the rising levels of pollution, contrary to government claims. The basic motive of the writer is to bring to the fore the contradictions in the claims made by two groups – i.e. the researchers and scientists on one hand and the government on the other, which is apparent from the facts mentioned in the article; and increase the awareness of the readers regarding the issue. Key environmental discourses: Administrative rationalism: This article too stresses on this environmental discourse, by hinting that the government needs to work in coordination with the expert groups in order to preserve the environment. The writer has included two contradictory views in the article – one of the expert groups such as researchers and scientists who claim that the environmental degradation is caused on account of presence of oil sands in the water bodies; and the other of the government – which has denied all such reports, dismissing them to be untrue. This indicates the need for a cooperative effort which can help in combining the viewpoints of various such interest groups and thus devise effective policies for addressing the issue on hand. Environmental problem solving: This discourse accepts the existing modern economic and political format of the society and yet at the same time, seeks to develop amicable solutions to address the current environmental problems faced by the society. References: Primary Sources: The Globe and Mail (2009). Climate change: Oil sands polluting waterways [online] Accessed: November 1, 2010. Available at: Edmonton Journal (2010). Eco-groups tell feds to do duty in oil sands [online] Accessed: November 1, 2010. Available at: The Gazette (2010). Feds failing to meet legal obligations regarding oil sands – Report [online] Accessed: November 1, 2010 Available at: The Gazette (2010). Oil sands proposal draws protest. [online] Accessed: November 1, 2010 Available at: The Vancouver Sun (2010). Renner dismisses oilsands toxins report: Increased toxins likely naturally occurring, Alberta environment minister says. [online] Accessed: November 1, 2010 Available at: Secondary Sources: Burchell, J., Lightfoot, S., (2001). The greening of the European Union? Continnum International Publishing, Pp. 24 – 26 Poncelet, E. C., (2004). Partnering for the environment, Rowman & Littlefield Publication, Pp. 95 – 97 Appendices: Read More