tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7646668975338690563.post400888772935490799..comments2024-01-23T02:14:13.463-07:00Comments on Footprint Management Systems Inc.: Glass Half Full?Abouthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08563426188867667815noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7646668975338690563.post-2610443713383710542012-08-26T21:05:01.763-07:002012-08-26T21:05:01.763-07:00Thank you for commenting Paul,
You are certainly ...Thank you for commenting Paul,<br /><br />You are certainly correct: there is no right answer that suits each situation. The ethical implications have become increasingly complex as we find ourselves with less resources - specifically water. <br /><br />I appreciate your insight<br /><br />JudyThe Green-Eyed Event Plannerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03520054022311918532noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7646668975338690563.post-84046734113946429102012-08-26T18:52:27.250-07:002012-08-26T18:52:27.250-07:00Judy/Shawna,
This does raise some interesting eth...Judy/Shawna,<br /><br />This does raise some interesting ethical and resource questions. When we look to lower our event impacts, do we indeed (without intent) create a different set of impacts for the communities where we have events.<br /><br />Take Las Vegas, a city in a desert, where water is scarce. Let's say we choose to have an event there, but would like to lower our carbon and waste stream impact, so we decide that we should only serve water that does not come from bottles transported from other places.<br /><br />We've made ourselves feel better for not contributing to plastic in the waste stream, additional carbon from the production of that plastic, additional carbon from the transport of that plastic to the event destination. etc.<br /><br />Now, what impact has that had on the local community. How might it have affected jobs in the destination? Did it actually have a positive or negative effect on the local community and economy?<br /><br />Now, let's say we decide not to do an event in that destination (or any destination with similar challenges) - what would that mean. We might indeed reduce a lot of environmental problems, but have we not had a negative impact on the local community and economy? Would we have been better off looking at a different way to provide water - maybe even (shudder) considering bottled water as a better solution than not having that event in that destination?<br /><br />This is why sustainability is so complicated and never black and white when we really take it seriously and get ourselves immersed in it.<br /><br />Thank you for raising the issue. I hope our community can continue to have these conversations and look for both ethical and creative solutions to some of the moral dilemmas that come up when we want to do "the right thing".Paul Salingerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04580417243377275770noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7646668975338690563.post-70045882247956038202012-08-26T12:55:44.358-07:002012-08-26T12:55:44.358-07:00Thanks for your comment Shawna - it has been somet...Thanks for your comment Shawna - it has been something that has been weighing on my mind for a while now and I was unsure of how to articulate it clearly.<br /><br />I do not want to diminish all of the work that many have done to make better choices, create more efficient alternatives, but I do wonder at what point do we simply say "no - can't do it" specifically in terms of water and lack thereof.<br /><br />JudyThe Green-Eyed Event Plannerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03520054022311918532noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7646668975338690563.post-32190033284094428372012-08-26T12:54:23.046-07:002012-08-26T12:54:23.046-07:00This comment has been removed by the author.The Green-Eyed Event Plannerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03520054022311918532noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7646668975338690563.post-88023487055433354602012-08-26T09:16:17.041-07:002012-08-26T09:16:17.041-07:00Provocative and important! Especially this summer ...Provocative and important! Especially this summer when all we hear about are growing water shortages. I particularly worry about the more transient festivals and special events that descend on smaller, more rural communities (like yours!) for brief periods of time. You hear so much about the positive economic impact during the event, but what is the actual cost when you consider the utility burden? And what happens if the community invests in infrastructure to support festivals then due to sponsorship or other reasons the event is discontinued? So important to provide a balanced perspective of benefits and costs—especially in terms of water—and get locals involved, and voicing their preference. Shawna McKinleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07650797212854783701noreply@blogger.com