Introduction
The term corporation refers to a legal entity, an artificial person created by law which is distinct from shareholders, stakeholders and any other people who own it (Olijnyk, A., pp 2016-01). On the other hand, an environment about a corporation is described as the immediate surroundings of an organization plus the external and internal factors which affect its performance (Holden, A.). However, in this case, I shall discuss the natural environment and how corporations affect it. This is a Student SampleĀ ORDER YOUR PAPER NOW
Corporations as threats to the natural environment.
1. Environmental degradation and deforestation
It refers to the process of deteriorating resources such as land, air and water and clearing vegetation and trees (Ahmed, K., Shahbaz, M., Qasim, A. and Long, W., pp.95-103.).As corporations grow, they need to set up more premises and more branches. Bhp Billiton and Rio Tinto which are mining companies, cause environmental threat since they tend to cut down vegetation so as to create more space to perform their activities. Excessive destruction of vegetation and degradation will lead to rugged landscape, excessive soil erosion as well as aridity and desertification in such areas. This is a Student SampleĀ ORDER YOUR PAPER NOW
2. Pollution
It is the act of contaminating the environment with harmful or poisonous substances (Broome, R.A., Fann, N., Cristina, T.J.N., Fulcher, C., Duc, H. and Morgan, G.G., pp.19-25). Most corporations cause a threat to the environment by emitting harmful gasses into the air; others dump their wastes in rivers whose waters will be used by human beings, plants, and animals. Dow Chemical in the United States is said to be one among other corporations which cause pollution. In 1984, there was a case concerning gas and chemical leakage which caused death and injury to many Indians. It was referred to as the Bhopal disaster.
3. Over exploitation of natural resources
It happens when corporations use too many non-renewable resources than they are supposed to use. Agriculture firms may use much water for irrigation purposes. The people depending on such water in the lower stages of that river may experience a decline in the water supply. It also happens in lakes and rivers when fish firms overfish. Loss of fish in waters will cause an adverse effect on the marine biodiversity by destroying fish habitats and disrupting food chain and ecology. This is a Student SampleĀ ORDER YOUR PAPER NOW
4. Bio-technical corporations
They are companies which manufacture products containing chemical substances. For example, pesticides, insecticides, and fungicides. They are made to kill particular living organisms. If not properly used, they may reach undesired targets and cause harm and there may be a threat to the environment. Such products can result in poisoning of human beings and animals. Most scientists encourage other ways of eliminating insects, weeds, and pests by using scientific methods such as trapping them or using genetic resistance other than pesticides.
Corporations as useful aspects in building the natural environment
1) Corporate social responsibility
Currently, companies are embracing the social responsibility by participating in developing and improving the environment. Firms such as The Walt Disney Company have a higher reputation in social responsibility. Most of them are responsible for their wastes, they have waste disposal channels and make sure that any waste products and gasses produced are non-toxic. Corporations are also involved in volunteer work to the community especially in constructing gabions and bridges for preventing soil erosion. Not only does this shape the corporationās name to the public, but also helps in preserving the environment. This is a Student SampleĀ ORDER YOUR PAPER NOW
2) Making environmental friendly products
Business organizations are limiting their products to be environmentally friendly. For example, diesel and petrol companies can manufacture low-sulphur diesel which when smoke is emitted to the atmosphere does not pollute the air that living organisms use. Alternatively, electrical appliances can be made to consume less energy, produce less noise and heat. In such a way, the corporation will have improved the environment.
3) Innovation for low-carbon solutions
Most corporations are acknowledging for the production of low-carbon products. In the U.K, the enterprises have established Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) to curb carbon emissions to the atmosphere which are affecting its climate. They have advocated for the use of hydrogen power and provided education to schools, hospitals and the public on reducing carbon emission to prevent global warming.
4) Planting rainforests and reduced paper waste
Greening Australia is a non-profit corporation which is dedicated to planting trees in Australia to restore the native vegetation (Auld, T.D., Denham, A., Tozer, M., Porter, J., Mackenzie, B. and Keith, D. pp.3).This reduces deforestation in the US and helps in the environment to regain its lost forests in the Amazon area. Firms are recycling used paper instead of dumping them. Similarly, more corporations use soft copy data through technological devices. This prevents cutting down of trees.
5) Use of green renewable energy
It involves the use of renewable energy-generating sources such as wind turbines and biogas. In the United States of America, corporations such as Pearson and Mohawk are operating on the green energy. This source of energy is environmental friendly for it does not emit smoke and other gasses to the air. Using green energy does not only show awareness on environmental issues, but it also saves the business organization from paying more tax deductions to the government. Businesses in remote areas are encouraged to use this type of energy in performing its operations.
Conclusion
As discussed above, corporations affect the natural environment both positively and negatively. In some ways, they cause threat, in other ways they are friendly to it. However, due to government intervention on creating awareness about the environment, most organizations are now participating in activities which are helpful to restore the lost beauty of the environment. Upon restoration, there will be adequate water supply, adequate resources, balanced ecology and the rate of global warming will reduce. This is a Student SampleĀ ORDER YOUR PAPER NOW
Works Cited
Tam, L., 2016. Corporate social responsibility (CSR) services: What are public relations agencies selling?
Olijnyk, A., 2015. Case Note: The Corporations Power in Williams (No 2). University of Western Australia Law Review, 39(418), pp.2016-01.
Holden, A., 2016. Environment and tourism. Routledge.
Ahmed, K., Shahbaz, M., Qasim, A. and Long, W., 2015. The linkages between deforestation, energy and growth for environmental degradation in Pakistan. Ecological Indicators, 49, pp.95-103.
Auld, T.D., Denham, A., Tozer, M., Porter, J., Mackenzie, B. and Keith, D., 2015. Saving arid and semi-arid southern Australia after over 150 years of exotic grazing pressure: Have we got the time and the will? Australasian Plant Conservation: Journal of the Australian Network for Plant Conservation, 24(2), p.3.
Moran, T.H., 2014. Multinational corporations and the politics of dependence: Copper in Chile. Princeton University Press.