PoPulationand Public HealtH etHics

sands developments. 6 The record shows serious controversy over these alleged
health effects by reputable groups of scientists and with follow-up studies
underway at the time of this analysis. 7-11
The world’s need for oil continues under the economic, growth-bound model
to which most governments in the world appear committed. Its extraction will
thus continue wherever on Earth it can be found. This means extracting oil
from the depths of the oceans or from bituminous sands because the easily
accessible supplies have been exhausted (i.e., “peak oil” has been reached). It
stands to reason that those living and working in proximity, downwind or
downstream from any such oil extraction activity are likely to be exposed
to effluent resulting from the industry and thus be vulnerable to the health
impacts known to be associated with such pollutants.
As noted above, workers and communities do derive benefits through employment
opportunities provided by the industry and related economic activity.
Whatever the activity, however, workers deserve to be protected from industrial
hazards, as do local and distant communities who may be affected by
the potential impact of industrial wastes on air, water and soil.
In the face of uncertainties as to precise health-risk estimates, policy-makers
can opt to await more certainty in the data about health effects. However, under
the precautionary principle, action is required. Further, from indigenous
knowledge, the seventh-generation principle could be helpful in redirecting
actions that are seen to be harming (physically, mentally and culturally)
both present and future generations. The consequences of actions today for
future generations would direct policy towards protecting local communities
from exposure and taking into account local values and beliefs. Indeed, it
is a principle that underscores concern for both sustainability and for intergenerational
equity.
The principle, from ecological economics, of “contraction and convergence”
needs to be adopted in policy, particularly in industrialized countries, to
achieve reduced demand for energy. “Contraction” relates to existing affluent
populations reducing their demand for energy, living more lightly
on the planet, while “convergence” relates to the narrowing of the gap
between emerging economies and those that are developed. If adopted,
it would immediately see the demand for any type of energy reduced,
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