Consumers Utility and its Maximization

Ocean Dumping Essays - Waste, Aquatic Ecology, Marine Debris

Ocean Dumping Essays - Waste, Aquatic Ecology, Marine Debris Ocean Dumping Ocean Dumping The practice of ocean dumping should be banned. Marine pollution is at the heart of interest in todays search for a clean environment. Not only does ocean dumping add to the unsightliness of the once beautiful and pristine waters; it also kills the marine life which inhabits those waters. Pollution on a grand-scale is wreaking havoc on the Earth. The ocean is not an exception. In 1996, a bill, which would ban the dumping of dredge spoils in the Long Island Sound, was submitted in congress by Michael Forbes (Freedman). At that time, Congressman Forbes predicted that all dumping in the United States would end in the foreseeable future. He sees ocean dumping ending in the 21st century (Freeman). Unfortunately, ocean dumping is the least expensive way to dispose of dredged materials and other pollutants (Freeman). Although an uphill battle, ocean dumping should be outlawed altogether. In New York City, proposed building of treatment plants was conceptualized (Murphy). This allowed an alternative to ocean dumping; since ocean court decisions and legislation (Murphy) had banned dumping. The sludge may be transported to other states for use as fertilizer (Murphy). Treatment plants are less of an eyesore than pollutants in the ocean. Unfortunately, no one wants a treatment facility in his back yard. Many miles of beaches have been closed over the years, due to ocean dumping. For communities where beaches are tourist attractions, this causes devastating economic consequences. At one point, medical debris washed ashore (Bauman). Congress passed a law at that time that banned the dumping of sewage into the ocean (Bauman). In 1987, an international agreement was signed and a national law was enacted to prevent ocean dumping (Miller). As late as 1995, ocean dumping continued to remain a serious threat (Miller). Tons of trash continued to pollute the nations beaches. The trash not only threatens marine life; it also threatens the lives of humans (Miller). There was no national plan for managing vessel waste. Enforcement powers for ocean dumping is spread among several agencies. This severely hampered the situation. The Marie Conservation Volunteers scoured more than 95,000 miles of United States coastlines on September 16, 1995 (Miller). More than 140,000 volunteers were involved in this campaign (Miller). In 1994, over 2.8 million pounds of trash were picked up off of lakes, estuaries, and ocean beaches (Miller). This shows that the problem of ocean dumping is not a small one. This is a huge environmental problem. The Environmental Protection Agency should require ocean waste-management plans, in addition to those that have been created for land (Miller). Plastic particles, particularly six-pack rings, are damaging to marine animals. When ingested, plastic is harmful to marine animals. Discarded fishing gear leads to a high mortality rate among birds, fish, turtles, whales, and dolphins (Miller). Unfortunately, humans are also at risk fr om this form of pollution, due to the fact that trash, which surfaces on the beach, can easily be stepped on. This garbage could (and does) contain such contaminates as syringes (Miller). In 1996, a dispute halted the dredging of shipping channels in New York and New Jersey. This allowed silt to pass into the channels and made them too small for large ships. One hundred eighty thousand jobs were threatened, as well as $20 billion in freight business (Bauman). The collapse of ocean fisheries is a major environmental problem. Environmental issues such as ocean dumping are a public concern. Ocean dumping is not only an issue of concern for America. The entire world must take a stand. International cooperation is vital for the preservation of marine life. Environmental concerns are evidenced to shape international treaties. The Montreal Protocol; the UN Summit on the Environment; agreements to the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and the World Trade Organization (WTO) attest to this fact (Burnett). There is a commonality in most global problems. This commonality occurs when

Corporate Social Responsibility Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Corporate Social Responsibility - Essay Example Corporate Social Responsibility reporting usually brings company graph higher which encourages more stakeholders, shareholders and investors. Many researches reveal the fact that through communicating CSR reports whether internally or externally, the ultimate benefit goes to the corporation. CSR reporting is usually related with positive virtues of the corporations which confirms that corporation is working in accordance with societal obligations specified by the law. CSR reporting helps its stakeholders to create their critical opinion upon firm’s activities and these opinions keep firm under the regulatory control. Number of researches supports the argument that CSR communication and information mostly attract stakeholders to the firm but besides attraction too much communication and information can also be seen as company is hiding some of its unlawful actions and through CSR communication they are trying to maintain their public relations. CSR regulatory surveillance and c ritical opinion of shareholders have been developed strongly and are increasing continuously. Nowadays, the critical opinion of regulators or stakeholders does not only influence company’s decisions but its impact can be seen throughout the society and throughout the production process of the company.... Now it depends upon managers how do they overcome this challenge but in the process a clever manager may overrule the critical opinion of shareholders and just provide CSR information just to maintain public relations fooling both regulatory surveillance authorities and shareholders around (Craig-Lees, 2001). Over decades many theories, models and strategies have been developed to ensure beneficial CSR reporting which explains actions of the company and environmental performance too. Over past decade few strategies have developed specifying models for public relations in the process of CSR communication. These model unfold company’s information strategies to their stakeholders and feedback from shareholders. These strategies over period have attempted to ensure sophisticated two way communication though one way communication is necessary but that is not enough for continuous delivery of environmental performance (Freeman, 1984). Three CSR communication strategies are as stakeh older information strategy, stakeholder response strategy and stakeholder involvement strategy. First strategy of stakeholder information is a one way communication model which flows information from company to shareholders (Grunig & Hunt, 1984). According to this theory CSR communication is considered as a process of informing stakeholders which purposefully publicise information related to welfare deeds and environmental performance. The only purpose of this strategy is to publicise information objectively through publications, through press conference and through media to enlighten general public, regulators, politicians and shareholders. This strategy only consider