Values and concerns in decision-making about a waste-reduction incinerator at Stormsriver, Tsitsikamma : a case study in applied ethics

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The Tsitsikamma Forest, in the most southern part of the Eastern Cape, ispart of the Cape Floral Kingdom, one of six such Kingdoms in the world.It has the richest area of plant bio-diversity and fauna in the worldwhich are rare and endemic to the area. The deep gorges, temperateforests, un spoilt oceans and various other features such as the famousBloukrantz River Bridge, where the world's highest bungi jumps takeplace are factors that have become the main source of job-creation andincome for tourism and its inter-related activities.However, this ecosystem is also home to about 480 families who live inlow-income housing at Stormsriver. This settlement which was relocatedfrom the shack area of Coesa, nearby, has an unemployment index of67% and a similar poverty index. In addition, the Stormsriver Villagenearby has a population of about 300 families, mainly older retiredwhite folks. The area is administered by the Koukamma Municipalitywhich is an amalgam of several smaller municipalities viz., Clarkeson,Kareedouw, Stormsriver, Woodlands, Eerste River, ]oubertina andBloukrantz.Waste reduction and the disposal thereof has always been a majorconcern to local authorities and the Koukamma Municipality is obviouslyfaced with the same challenge. The authorities have resorted to theconcept of landfill sites, which has proven to be the cheapest solution todate. But, with this option comes the problems of health risks to thepoorer people who converge on the dump sites in search of food, theharm to children searching through rubbish heaps and the various legalrepercussions emanating out of this practice.The option of open-burning and its related effects on human life andforest fires rules it out as an option. Transporting waste out of the area isalso very costly.It was then resolved by the Koukamma Municipalities that the possibilityof installing an incinerator at Stormsriver would be an option to beinvestigated. The reasoning behind the selection of this site was theconcern of high unemployment in the Stormsriver area and extremepoverty and this venture would in some small measure create jobs, putfood on the table and break the poverty cycle.The process of incineration gives rise to emissions such as dioxins andfurans which is known to cause cancer, asthma and tuberculosis, ifsubjected in high doses over a long period of time. It is also regulated bythe Atmospheric Pollution Act 45 of 1965.The important moral debate at the core of this problem is the wholequestion of humans rights and should these be violated solely becausethe subjects do not belong to an affluent class and should be shown lessrespect and have their health jeopardised by the toxic air fromincineration. Or, should the people's poverty index rise further due tolack of employment.The question that also begs here is whether the well-being of the entireecosystem, especially the rare and endangered plants and animals takepreference over the well-being of the people of Stormsriver, given thatthe emissions from the incinerator will impact on the animal, bird andplant life, including that of water, soil and air.This would also put into jeopardy the income generated by Tourism andthe jobs inherent in it for the locals and would threaten the area'ssustainability.The various moral views of philosophers have been canvassed in order tocome to a holistic understanding. I have in this vein looked at the viewsof ethicists such as Tibor Machan, who believes that animals and otherorganisms do not have any rights and are there purely for humanconsumption. Then the views of Peter Singer and Tom Regan have alsobeen included, in which consideration is shown to animals. Others suchas AIda Leopold, J. Baird Callicott and Paul Taylor whose thinkingextends to that of not just showing respect for a single entity but allowsfor equal respect for all members of the biotic community, have also been.considered.Various solutions have thereafter been considered and amongst those arethe relocation of the incinerator out of the Stormsriver, moving the plantto the industrial zone at Kareedouw, transporting the waste out to PortElizabeth, dumping and finally the 'Do Nothing' option.Using Paul Taylor's respect for nature ethics as a guide, I have come tothe conclusion that the installation of a waste-reduction incinerator atStormsriver, Tsitsikamma, may be supported subject to a set of seriousriders and conditions in that firstly, the health of the immediate andsurrounding inhabitants should not be affected in any way whatsoever.Secondly, the well-being of the non-human environment which mustinclude air, soil, water and plant life, including the animal and bird lifemust not be harmed in any way. In this way all members of the bioticcommunity will be shown equal respect, thus creating a viable andsustainable community

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University