Essay On The Alberta Tar Sands Disaster

Throughout history there have been various definitions present on what a disaster is and the effects that it contains in relation to the environment and residents within the area. Society often has specific dominant worldviews in regards to disasters, which can pertain to or focus around disasters being seen as a “hazard”, “unlucky”, or an “unavoidable “ event (Scandlyn et al, 2009). Generally, many individuals tend to reflect on definitions in relation to conventional theories because the media often prioritizes disasters as being catastrophic or an end of the world phenomenon. What these individuals fail to understand is the importance of recognizing that we cannot only view disasters in this way, however we must also understand how social …show more content…
Exploring environmental vulnerabilities allows for us to realize that the state of the environment is already in danger and this disaster only further contributes to this danger because of the ways in which we view the environment. Our society can be seen as a toxic culture because of the “social arrangements that encourage and excuse the deterioration of human health and the environment.” (Hofricher, 2000, p. 374) As a result, the protection of the environment is often not viewed as a priority, which allows for many individuals to cause damaging effects such as the creation of the Alberta tar sands in order to economically benefit as mentioned. Currently, the world is already facing various threats such as climate change due to an increase in green house gasses and the tar sands only further contributes to this increase. The tar sands are responsible for approximately 8.5 per cent of Canada’s total greenhouse gas emissions (“Energy Alberta”, n.d). According to Weinhold (2011), “there are more than 1,400 known pollutants emitted by oil sands operations.”(p. 5). Although many individuals mention that they are working on monitoring emission problems such as odour being caused by the oil sands, others mention, “ it’s a learn-as-you-go scenario” (Weinhold, 2011, p. 6). With this regard, it is …show more content…
It is important to study this disaster through a vulnerability framework because it allows for many to understand that societal issues need to be addressed in order to prevent extreme effects from occurring. Society can be viewed as the underlying driver of these vulnerabilities which demonstrates that there are numerous inequalities present within society that have the potential to displace individuals when a disaster occurs. Social vulnerabilities such as environmental racism are often largely ignored however, the tar sands displays that society contains inequalities in regards to race and class which cause Alberta residents to be at risk. Economic vulnerabilities further demonstrate issues in regards to the importance of the Canadian economy forcing individuals to leave their homes as well as making them believe that the tar sands industry does not contain any negative consequences in order for revenue to continue to develop. Lastly, understanding that society contains poor environmental management in relation to the Alberta tar sands disaster, explains the environmental vulnerabilities embedded within the population. Environmental vulnerabilities identify the toxic culture society consists of to help display the constant