Exploring Ethical Dilemmas in Geoethics Forum: The Grey Side of Green
Dive into the realm of geoethics forum with a focus on ethical decision-making models, values, and stakeholder perspectives in addressing environmental dilemmas. Explore the intricate balance between green technology development and the impacts on rare strategic minerals supply. Delve into the complexities of sustainability, stakeholder values, and responsible decision-making in a thought-provoking context.
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GEOETHICS FORUM The Grey Side of Green Shaun Taylor
Geoethics Forum A classroom decision making process that explores an ethical dilemma from all sides seeking an optimal solution Uses a framework for ethical analysis Can be a role play, an essay or a project Real situation or manufactured Builds critical thinking and reasoning
Parts of a Geoethical Dilemma A scenario with conflicting paths Scientific facts- knowns and unknowns Decision makers- professional, public Values, rights, responsibilities Stakeholders those affected directly or indirectly Values, rights and responsibilities
Ethical Decision Making Model Stakeholders Context / Facts Decision Makers Alternate Actions Evaluate impacts / negotiate Pick Optimal Choice
Values Autonomy- personal freedom Beneficence- do good for individual and community Utility- the most good for the most people Non-maleficence- do no harm Justice- equal access Privacy Sustainability? Provide for the needs of today without compromising future generations Geoheritage Principles- diversity, foresight, integration, expansion of options, reversibility
What makes a good ethical dilemma or discussion? Trust, respect, disagreement without personal attacks Being judgmental versus making a judgment Emphasize process vs. conclusion Uncertainty is OK Description then prescription
Lets give it a try- Green Technology Issue starter How do we evaluate the impacts and tradeoffs for green technology development and the supply and demand patterns for rare strategic minerals? Element Indium, gallium, tellurium Uses Photovoltaic coatings Transparent conductors for thin film plastic solar cells Supply China, (In) US, Peru (te) Issue Byproduct of zinc refining Dysprosium, praesodynmium, neodymium Magnets for wind turbines, automobiles, dysoprosium allows magnets to work at high temperatures China provide 98% of dysprosium. Pollution, wastewater, 1 ton=>2000 tons of toxic waste, export quotas Lanthanum, cobalt, cerium, niobium Batteries, phosphors for lighting, catalytic converters Congo, brazil Bioaccumulators Terbium, europium, yttrium Phosphors for energy efficient lighting China, US, India, Sri Lanka, Australia (te) lithium batteries 50% from northern Chile Exracted from brine, Uses 2/3 of available freshwater, copper and aluminum are bigger impact
The Chemetall Foote Lithium Operation in Clayton Valley, a dry lake bed in Esmeralda County, Nevada, just east of Silver Peak, a tiny town that has been host to various kinds of mining for about 150 years.
Define Stakeholders and Values Who will benefit directly and indirectly from the extraction and refining of these minerals? Who will benefit from creation of new green technology? Where are decisions made in the process? Who is concerned with national security and economic competiveness? Who is affected at the end of product lifecycle? Who is affected by resource extraction.
