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Toxic waste in our midst: towards an interdisciplinary analysis
1School of History and Philosophy, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia. paul.brown@unsw.edu.au
Journal of Environmental Management
|September 23, 2008
Summary
Hexachlorobenzene (HCB) pollution challenges governance, prompting community-driven decision-making. This study examines HCB in Sydney, revealing new public participation and corporate behavior models.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Political Science
- Sociology
Background:
- Persistent organic pollutants like hexachlorobenzene (HCB) pose governance challenges.
- HCB is unique as a pesticide, industrial chemical, and unintended byproduct.
- Industrial legacies necessitate new approaches to environmental management and policy.
Discussion:
- This paper presents twelve interdisciplinary studies on HCB and industry-community relations in Sydney.
- It analyzes decision-making processes through political and management theories.
- The case study explores the destabilizing effects of HCB disputes on the modern state.
Key Insights:
- Citizen engagement in 'sub-political' processes drives decision-making outwards into community structures.
- Recognition of 'individualisation' is key to understanding these shifts.
- New forms of public participation and corporate behavior emerge.
Outlook:
- Addressing knowledge and expertise asymmetries is crucial.
- Community-driven structures offer innovative solutions for environmental governance.
- Further research into industrial pollution and societal response is warranted.
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