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Lighting Up Africa

Though some people still believe Africans to be destitute people living without running water and electricity in huts, this is simply not true. But during my family’s trip to Nigeria last year, it was clear that the nation did have an energy problem. Though estimates vary wildly, more people live in the former capital Lagos than in New York which makes it very difficult for the Power Authority to provide electricity to every home. As a result, rolling blackouts happen so frequently that most people just use a backup generator. But in my experience, these generators smelled terribly, were heavy, extremely noisy and clearly polluting the environment.

Enter Power for Africa, a company that is trying to change this reality. You can check out their website here. They sell the Solar2Africa400® solar-powered portable generator that can be set up quickly and easily.

All that’s included in the Solar2Africa Package

Products like these demonstrate the power of social entrepreneurship; this generator has the potential to change the lives of hundreds of millions of people. Africa is the “last frontier” in business — I’m excited to see the day she moves past her biggest obstacles and can fiercely compete on the world stage.

Source: powerforafrica.com

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Whose Job Is it Anyways?

This is how Cenovus Energy, an oil company operating in Alberta wants consumers to see the oil sands:

The Greener Side of The Oil Sands

 

And this is apparently how singer Neil Young sees them:

Nevada Nuclear Test Site. – This is what a real ‘wasteland’ looks like.

Young recently said that “Fort McMurray looks like Hiroshima. Fort McMurray is a wasteland”.*

Statements like these are exactly the kind of publicity Cenovus does not want. With the green movement moving us towards sustainable living and cleaner, more efficient technologies, the reputation of the Alberta tar sands is being heavily soiled. As an Albertan, I support the oil sands industry. I see its positive impact on our economy. I also truly believe that “Big Oil” is trying to clean up its act, if only for the sake of good press.

But is it even their job to do so?

We all reap the rewards of these operations, citizens and government alike. So why is it not the government’s responsibility to ensure revitalization? Friedman stated that corporations cannot have “social responsibilities” because the executive is accountable to only his employers and employees. The government is supposed to protect and represent the will of the people.  Though it is the ethical thing to do, in my opinion, it really isn’t the company’s job to clean up after themselves. But it is beneficial to everyone that they do.

*”Neil Young Calls Fort McMurray Oilsands ‘a Wasteland'” CBC.ca. CBC News, 10 Sept. 2013. Web. 11 Sept. 2013.

Other Sources:

“The Social Responsibility of Business is to Increase Profits”. Milton Friedman

Top image from Cenovus Energy, Bottom image is of the Sedan Crater

 

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Why Ethical Business Is Our Business

In light of recent events and our class discussion on ethics, I’m reminded that people sometimes have a certain perception of business students. We’re greedy, or uncaring about social issues. Yet, while reading articles about the Sauder Frosh incident, I noticed many comments about how disappointing it is that our ‘nation’s future leaders’ would supposedly participate in such behaviour. One commentator referred to us as “Captains of Industry”. It didn’t dawn on me until then that despite the stereotyping, people still expect leadership not only from Sauder grads but from the entire business world. Why? Well, I guess when you’re in an industry that affects literally everyone, people look to you to keep to moral standards. This is why it is very important for business schools to continue to put an emphasis on ethical business practices. Another commentator on HuffPost stated that “all that’s wrong with the business culture in Canada is summed up with the statement that the Honour Code will, “help Sauder students represent the brand well in the business community…”.” and that we’re in “big trouble” if students aren’t instead well grounded in ethics and values. Perhaps we can repair the brand by worrying less about it and more about the character of the students representing it.

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