Business ethics - Canada's oil sands: the most destructive project on Earth or ethical oil?

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Business ethics - Canada's oil sands: "the most destructive project on Earth" or "ethical oil"?

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Business ethics, Canada, oil seed, ethics, Canadian government, human rights, environmental NGO, economic growth, energy, gdp gross domestic product, energy solutions, activist, policy maker

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Abstract

This document contains a business ethics case study that provides answers to the following questions :
1. Which actors have a stake in deciding whether the oil sands are an ethical source of oil, and why do you think they differ so much in their assessments?
2. How would you go about conducting a utilitarian analysis of the oil sands for the purpose of deciding whether it is an ethical source of oil? Provide a provisional assessment based on the data in the case and outline what other data you would need to make a full assessment.
3. How would this assessment differ if you focused primarily on non-consequentialist ethics (duties, rights, and justice)? What issues take precedence now and do they give a reasonable perspective on the problem?
4. How would you compare oil sands oil to other sources of oil from an ethical perspective?
5. Consider the case for saying that all oil is unethical. What theory or principle might support such an assertion? Is it a useful position to take, and if so, for who?

Which actors have a stake in deciding whether the oil sands are an ethical source of oil, and why do you think they differ so much in their assessments?
How would you go about conducting a utilitarian analysis of the oil sands for the purpose of deciding whether it is an ethical source of oil? Provide a provisional assessment based on the data in the case and outline what other data you would need to make a full assessment.
How would this assessment differ if you focused primarily on non-consequentialist ethics (duties, rights, and justice)? What issues take precedence now and do they give a reasonable perspective on the problem?
How would you compare oil sands oil to other sources of oil from an ethical perspective?
Consider the case for saying that all oil is unethical. What theory or principle might support such an assertion? Is it a useful position to take, and if so, for who?

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[...] Question 5 : Considering the ethics of all oil extraction from a broader perspective, one could argue that exploiting any form of fossil fuel, including oil, is inherently unethical due to its significant environmental impact, contribution to climate change, and the social injustices it often perpetuates. Such a viewpoint might be grounded in theories of environmental ethics or sustainability, which prioritize the health of the planet and the well-being of future generations over short-term economic gains. This perspective is particularly compelling for those committed to addressing climate change, advocating for renewable energy, and seeking to minimize the ecological footprint of energy production. [...]

[...] Based on the preliminary information, it appears that while oil sands offer significant economic benefits, their environmental and social costs raise ethical concerns. A complete analysis would require more detailed information on economic gains, environmental degradation metrics, health and societal impacts on affected communities, and the contribution of oil sands to global warming, necessitating a balanced approach to assess whether the benefits truly outweigh the harms. Question 3 : Shifting the focus to non-consequentialist ethics, which emphasize duties, rights, and justice, alters the framework of assessing the ethics of oil sands. [...]

[...] The starkly differing assessments underscore the complexity of reconciling economic development with environmental sustainability and social justice. Question 2 : Conducting a utilitarian analysis of the oil sands to determine their ethical status involves weighing the comprehensive benefits against the harms they cause, focusing on the greatest good for the greatest number. This process starts by evaluating the economic advantages, such as job creation and GDP growth, and weighing these against environmental costs, including greenhouse gas emissions and water pollution. [...]

[...] Business ethics - Canada's oil sands: "the most destructive project on Earth" or "ethical oil"? Question 1 : The debate over the ethics of oil sands involves a wide array of actors, each with differing perspectives based on their respective interests, values, and the implications of oil sands development on their stakeholders. On one side, we have the oil industry and the Canadian government, who advocate for the economic benefits of oil sands, highlighting job creation, economic growth, and the ethical advantages of sourcing oil from a democratic nation with high environmental and human rights standards. [...]

[...] Question 4 : Comparing oil sands oil to other sources of oil from an ethical perspective involves examining environmental impact, human rights, and social justice issues. Oil sands extraction is notably more energy-intensive and environmentally damaging, producing higher greenhouse gas emissions than conventional oil production. Additionally, it poses significant risks to local ecosystems and water resources. Ethically, oil from regions with stringent environmental regulations and respect for human rights may be preferable. However, the context of geopolitical stability and the ethical practices of extracting countries also play crucial roles. [...]

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