The Collaboratory
January 17, 2008 by John Morelli and John Holmes | Filed under: Collaboratory, General
Just what is a “collaboratory”?
Well, there are a variety of definitions; some of the more common and not-so-common elements include:
• a research collaboration in a laboratory without walls
• using computer and web-based technologies for sharing information resources
• providing a forum for discussion
• a new type of organization with inherent social processes
In the case of EnvironmentalManager.org, all of these elements are relevant. Ideally, each research team will be made up of environmental management professors, students and practicing professionals from at least two different countries from different parts of the world. An extensive literature review is underway to support the research teams and a wealth of information has already been collected, abstracted and posted under the relevant research topics and subtopics. Research teams will post their work from time to time for comments from other visitors to the site and all will be able to participate in the discussions posted in the Discussion Forums. In the end, this collaboration can serve to help foster an international culture of environmental managers and help guide the profession in its evolving roles and responsibilities in our respective societies.
Unless I am missing something, I do not see where regulators fit into the picture you are creating. I remember that you believe that voluntary management is the goal, but from what I see, regulators will be needed for a very long time. My position on the EM tree is one of quality of life. I work with water quality, waste disposal, and disease control. I work closely with everyday people not industrialists. I live in a rural part of Florida that was a dumping ground for the larger cities nearby and as a result, we have a serious contamination problem. One of the most serious problems I see in addition to the obvious is uncontroled and unmanaged growth. Adequate potable water is the biggest problem we will face in the near future. Proposals that will affect the very ecosystems of our rivers and streams are being proposed as we talk. Large diversions of water to larger cities with no concern for the health of the rivers and downstream users. Right here where I live they want to divert millions of gallons of water to central Florida cities. If they do, they will in all likelyhood destroy the entire fishery downstream all the way to Jacksonville. The St Johns River is one of the most beautiful rivers in Florida and it will never be the same if the industrialists have their way. I have talked to Several representatives with the Water Management District, but they seem ready to make it happen.
I bring this subject up because , I believe, that if the EMs had more prestige we would be able to affect the outcome of projects like these. Another issue here is a coal burning power plant which was approved to be expanded using all the latest technology. It would have increased output by one-third and reduced pollution to below what it is currently producing. Gov. Crist stopped the project just because it is a coal plant and did not take other factors into account. Now we are stuck with an outdated power plant and extra pollution due to one man’s misguided ideas.
So, isn’t the relevant question, “How do EMs gain that ‘prestige?’” If so, does it really matter if a person works for a company or for a regulatory agency. Both have job responsibilities to perform for their respective employers, but also have responsibilities as professional. Assuming that the goals of each will not always be in perfect alignment (not even in a regulatory agency), it becomes a balancing act of sorts. With more prestige, or clout, the professional environmental manager should be able to tip the scales more in his or her favor.