To understand how Todd Schatzki could make the comments he did about oil spills creating economic activity while testifying for the Vancouver Energy oil terminal, we need to understand his mind set (“Expert downplays effects of oil spills,” July 2, The Columbian).
There is a term which has become closely associated with extractive industries and it is “sacrifice zones.” Examples might include the shorelines around Prince William Sound after the Exxon Valdez oil spill, or the down current portion of the Gulf of Mexico after the BP Deepwater Horizon disaster. There are smaller ones, to be sure, every time a pipeline breaks or a train crashes and burns — remember the destruction and death in the town of Lac-M?gantic in Quebec?
In her book “This Changes Everything” and subsequent movie of the same title, Naomi Klein shows us more examples of such zones but takes us to a new way of thinking about the causes and cures.
This Thursday, in cooperation with The Friends of Cascade Park Library, Vancouver Meaningful Movies will be screening Klein’s movie for the general public at the library.
The movie and subsequent conversation will provide essential tools for thinking about and finding solutions. Doors open at 5:45 p.m. and there is no admission charge.
