UMGC ENMT495 Week 3 Discussion (dq1+dq2+dq3) Latest 2021 October

ENMT495 Global Environmental Management Issues

Week 3 Discussion

DQ1 Single media vs Multi media waste management

Moderator: Chloe Scott

Summary by: Grayson Jenkins

Please answer one question

1. One of the topics discussed this week talked about a multifaceted approach that is known as multimedia analysis, which compared to the single media approach is more effective and responsible in managing pollution. Scientists started to use the multimedia approach as there was a large increase in the greenhouse gas, carbon dioxide. What do you think the issues were with the single media approach and how do you think multimedia handles it better? What does the multimedia approach do differently and what is its main focus? Based on what you read and know about the single media approach, provide an example of this technique. What would be the pros and cons of this approach? How could this approach be adapted into a multimedia approach?

It is discussed that EPA has a multimedia approach of enforcement in place, as all facilities must be in compliance with the environmental laws, regulations, and permits. It is important that EPA has this enforcement in place to benefit the environment. Doing some outside research discusses one of the multimedia cases that have occurred (Ashland Oil, Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority, and Boston Department of Transportation). What occurred in these cases? What did the multimedia inspection reveal (what weaknesses were revealed?). Explain how the multimedia enforcement action/approach in your case was superior to a single stream enforcement action/approach. Once these cases have been discussed, explain which multimedia category the case you researched would be under. 

DQ2 Risk Management

Lead: Grayson Jenkins

Summarized by Claudia Hamblin-Katnik

Please answer one question

Question 1: This week we read the article “Proposed Keystone XL Pipeline ” and saw how risk management can be used to make a decision on if building is worth the risk to the environment in the environmental impact statement. Identify a  project that would have had an environmental impact statement? If you can’t identify one, look at this link to the EPA https://cdxnodengn.epa.gov/cdx-enepa-public/action/eis/search What type of Environmental impact statement was it? (If you can find it: Strategic, regional, sectoral, project level). What were some of the risks with the project to the environment that were considered?  Did the assessment consider a monetary evaluation? Did it consider the impact to the local population? Can you possibly identify anything within the EIS that may have been overlooked or any risks that are maybe not considered – even possible positive risks?

Question 2:  Three approaches to creating standards are introduced this week: voluntary, regulatory, and international. First choose one standard and explain its purpose, what category of standard it is and if the standard is best suited to manage the media it applies to? Why or why not? Once one standard is defined, the next person to answer this question should choose a different one to define. Do you think you could provide an example of another way to manage that media more effectively? Maybe one that covers multiple media. Finally, which standard could provide the most impact globally if followed? 

DQ3 Accountability for Responsibility

Moderator: Claudia Hamblin-Katnik

Summary: Chloe Scott

Answer one of the questions below.

Accountability refers to the acknowledgement of responsibility by an organization for actions, decisions, products, and policies that it undertakes. Consumers are showing increasing concern for the impacts the products and services they purchase are having on the environment and society. Many investors are starting to use a company’s performance in sustainability as an indicator of business value and of management strength. One of the primary vehicles businesses use to communicate with customers is Triple Bottom Line (TBL) reporting. TBL reporting reflects the interrelated progress of a company in the three areas—also referred to as people, planet, and profit.

Highlights from Ford’s Twelfth Annual Sustainability Report include:

Reduced CO2 emissions from Ford’s global operations by 5.6 percent on a per-vehicle basis, compared to 2009.

Set a goal to reduce global facility CO2 emissions by 30 percent by 2025 on a per-vehicle basis.

Listed water as one of the top sustainability concerns; Ford aims to reduce 2011 global water use by 5 percent per vehicle compared to 2010. This is in addition to the 49 percent per vehicle reduction since 2000.

Research a company that used TBL reporting to communicate with its customers. What measures did they consider important for sustainability? How did they achieve them, or plan to achieve them? One company per student.

The current business environment still relies on closed decision making, limited disclosure of business activities and their consequences. However, Radical Transparency is now an emerging trend in which organizations publicly display the positives and negatives of their companies.

How do businesses communicate their sustainability goals to consumers? And how do they inform our purchasing decisions? Give an example of a business and how it communicated its sustainability goals to you and how it informed your purchasing decisions.  Were the communication strategies TBL or Radical Transparency or a combination of both?

Sustainability involves taking a holistic perspective to understand the true short-term and long-term impacts of a business activity. Conventional business practices have traditionally been concerned on more immediate factors, such as cost, quality, and availability in the supply chain.

Consider what it takes to make a product and what happens to it after it is thrown out. What are some long-term factors businesses need to consider in terms of the life cycle and true (environmental and social) impact of their products?

2.  Discuss the Life Cycle Assessment of one specific product. How can the environment benefit from this Life Cycle Assessment?

3.  In what ways can available pollution management technologies help businesses reduce their environmental footprint? Select three technologies and state how a particular business might benefit.

Question designed by: Renato Zappala