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Time：第 73次例會，2006年9月16日（週六）下午2:30~5:00
Place： viewtopic.php?t=15
14:30~15:30 gossiping and chatting
15:30~15:45 Ice Breaker session
15:45~15:55 intermission
15:55~17:00 topic discussion
Host: Dirk Bremann
Assistant Host:
Topic: -Scenario environmental pollution
Scenario:
Imagine that you live in the city of Datesville with a population of approximately 1 million people. This city is located on the edge of the desert and attracts many tourists and elderly citizens. In fact, 25% of the population living in this city today are over the age of 65, and this number is expected to reach 50% by the year 2010. This city has two major industries. Tourism is heavy because of the year-round warm weather, and there are a number of great golf courses. Datesville is named after its second main industry - agriculture. Datesville produces 20% of the world's sweet dates which are in high demand and are exported all over the world. This city has enjoyed growth and prosperity for over 50 years, but its citizens are worried that this is about to change.
Oil deposits have been discovered 75 miles north of Datesville, and a major oil company has moved in to begin extracting the oil. Although citizens initially were not alarmed by this new industry, they have recently been informed that a refinery will be built adjacent to the oil fields. The oil company met with the City Council and the citizens of Datesville and discussed the new refinery. They explained that they would bring 500 new jobs to citizens in this area and that local taxes and licenses paid by the oil company would net the city approximately $375,000 per year in additional revenue. With an unemployment rate in Datesville currently at 10%, the new jobs would be a blessing to many local families. The oil company also explained that they followed strict safety guidelines and met all local, state, and federal emission standards.
Although this seemed promising and reassuring to Datesville citizens, they raised a number of issues, and the oil company's responses were cause for concern. Citizens asked the oil company what the potential health hazards would be for its elderly population. The oil company responded that the increased levels of their industrial pollutants caused irritation to a person's air passageway and lungs, but that they would not be permitted to emit high levels for more than 10 days per year without risking fines or other action from government agencies.
A concern about the effect of pollution on agricultural products was raised. The company had no data on the effect of its emissions on fruit such as dates. However, they had two additional industrial plants located in agricultural areas which had not experienced problems. The primary crops in these areas were corn, potatoes, and carrots.
An inquiry about the effects of soot on buildings and landscape netted a similar response from the company. They did not have any direct information about the impact of their facilities on local environments.
When asked if there were any other potential environmental effects, the company mentioned that there would be an increase in traffic due to transportation of their product. This would include both highway use by oil tankers and railcar shipping. The company explained to the citizens that they would pay local and federal road taxes to help cover costs for increased traffic.
The meeting went beyond midnight, and citizens and the company agreed to meet again the following week to discuss the industrial plant further. When asked if they would delay plans to begin building, at least until all the concerns of the public had been addressed, the company responded that they had met all legal requirements and that their funding required that they begin construction within 60 days or risk loss of their loan.
Activity:
People will be organized into 5 groups and then asked to discuss the questions as indicted below. (Numbers will be given out to everybody by order of their turning up in the gathering) A spokesperson will be appointed for each group! (The group should do that!) After each group has prepared answers to their questions, people are reconvened to decide what course of action, if any, the town should take.
Officers are asked to act as City Council members and respond to each group based on the merit of their arguments.
Group 1 - Company Representatives:
1. How do you think the meeting went?
2. Is there any additional information you should provide?
3. What do you expect to be asked at the next meeting?
4. Should you offer additional incentives to create better public relations?
Group 2 - Citizens:
1. How do you think the meeting went?
2. What additional questions would you like to ask the company?
3. What are your choices of action?
4. How would you explore the validity of the company claims?
Group 3 - City Council:
1. How do you think the meeting went?
2. What is your position with regard to the oil company project?
3. What do you plan to do at the next meeting?
Group 4 - Medical Personnel:
1. How do you think the meeting went?
2. What concerns do you have for your patients, especially those with lung problems?
3. What will you ask the oil company to do to protect your patients?
Group 5 - Environmentalists
1. How do you think the meeting went?
2. What recommendations will you make to the City Council to help protect the environment?
3. How will you monitor the changes in the environment once the plant is built?
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