Air Pollution in Dominican Republic

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Iris Smith

Alan Paiewonsky

Sociology D

Environmental Ethics

Environmental Issues- The Video- Questions

  1. What do all the people featured have in common? What are some of the
  2. differences?

All the people in the video cared about their surrounding environment and

did what they could to help. They created awareness in the issue and often had to talk to the government and challenge big business. They were completely devoted to their cause and had, after hard work, people join the cause with them. All improved the situation slightly and most were still doing something for the environment after their initial campaign was successful.

        The differences were in what they were trying to protect, how they went about doing it, and their level of success. The people were also from different parts of the world form the average middle class American to the African man walking to save Rhinos. There were 14 people in the video and they wanted to protect animals, natural resources, water, forests, and the air. They also went about it in different ways. Some started organizations, some walked and gained public awareness, some sought government help, while others conducted peaceful rebelling. In the end all were, to a certain degree, successful. Some laws were passed, protections placed, while others only had a little of they wanted done but the issue was addressed by the people and government. Some had complete governmental support while others had the complete opposite and had to go against not only big business but also government.

  1. What were some of the most inspirational methods used? Why?

Rhino man was probably the most inspirational because he walked over 3000 miles, and in Africa, to protect the Rhinos than started Wildlife Conservation International. His efforts raised a million dollars, reached over 50 million people, and lead to conservation programs in at least three African nations. It’s admirable to see a man do so much for Rhinos and in Africa, which has a difficult landscape to walk through. His efforts alerted the world and it does show that one man can make a difference.

Sarah Norman and others talked to over 7 thousand people to prevent drilling in Africa. They went house to house and raised awareness among the people to create a movement. They didn’t encounter the difficulties others did but addressed the controversial issue of drilling in Africa.

Colleen McCoy spent eight years trying to get a national park, which was 120,000 acres. She was smeared by the media, lost money and almost went bankrupt but never gave up on her cause and with the support of her family and community was successful.

  1. Which methods used did the activists have in common? What were some of the differences?

They all had to create public awareness, and although many started on their own, they had to gain the support of the people. Rhino man walked through Africa but he eventually got the support of over 50 million people and media to complete his cause. Colleen McCoy started on her own and was media bashed but had the support of her community. Everyone in the video had their community supporting. Some had government support, like the Indonesian farmers, while others where hindered by government, like Rodolfo in Mexico. Some had media support, like Rhino man, while others were criticized by the media, like Colleen McCoy. Some started organizations, like British Colombia environmental network, Wildlife conservation international, and International Guerilla conservation program while others were had government laws passed, parks created, and protections instituted.

  1. Which methods were most effective? Why?

The methods most effective where the ones that had a united front, created awareness, and eventually support of government. Sam LaBuddle, for example shot videos of dolphin violence as evidence to protect marine life. When people saw these videos, it created a public outcry that government had to pass laws to protect these animals. The Indonesian farmers united to protect the forest and went to the ministry of forest which secured their rights. Methods of creating large public awareness where most successful, because it lead to a public outcry and the government had to respond to it. Others used the media and some went directly to and gained government aid.

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Research- Environmental Issues in the Dominican Republic

Part 1: Basic Questions:

  1. What are some of the most pressing environmental problems facing the DR today? Why? Where are these problems most prevalent?

The Dominican Republic is a developing issue where government has fewer resources to deal with environmental issues and where there is less public concern and awareness in these issues. The Dominican Republic faces a number of issues, from ...

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