The impact of heavy industry on nature is a common topic in environmentally conscious scientific journals and magazines. In the article “Spilling Over” by Miller, published in 2022 in Discover Magazine, the author discusses mining and its effect on the surrounding people, flora, and fauna. The following critique of the article analyzes the author and his qualifications and looks at the article to establish its relevance and quality of research. While the report does not follow the scientific method, the journalist provides an in-depth look into the discussed problem, strengthening arguments with first-hand experiences and study results.
Author and Qualifications
The article “Spilling Over” is a collection of information gathered from different sources and put into a unifying narrative. According to Miller’s personal website, he is an “independent journalist, author and editor” who focuses on the issues of climate change and related topics (Miller, 2022a). The writer has been published in several magazines, including National Geographic, Discover Magazine, The Guardian, and more (Miller, 2022a).
Furthermore, he is a “Ted Scripps Fellow in Environmental Journalism at the University of Colorado” (Miller, 2022a). This title implies that the journalist has spent a year of additional education studying environmental issues through the lens of journalism. While these credentials do not equal the status of a scientific researcher, they increase the author’s understanding of the scientific method and the intricacies of research.
Summary
The article discusses mining in Canada; in particular, it considers locations close to the border between Canada and the United States, focusing on the lands where Indigenous Peoples live. Activists against irresponsible mining argue that the process of getting a mining permit in British Columbia is too easy (Miller, 2022b). As a result, mining companies in the province are not beholden to strict rules and can exploit the land for corporate needs. It is stated that British Columbia miners produce more steelmaking materials (copper and coal) than any other province in Canada (Miller, 2022b).
Moreover, companies mine silver and molybdenum in the same locations. Mining sites are located near rivers, leading to pollution of the water and surrounding areas. The journalist connects mining to aluminum pollution in the Kootenai and Elk Rivers and provides scientific studies reporting on species extinction (Miller, 2022b). The author also highlights the work of activists and experts who oppose irresponsible mining.
Critique
Science
The article does not follow the scientific method because it does not conduct an experiment based on a hypothesis. Nevertheless, the discussion provided by Miller (2022a) is in-depth, as he reports on a variety of events and connects them with the help of people who live in the analyzed area. In particular, he interviews Indigenous activists, such as Bev Sellars, and scientists, such as Erin Sexton. Moreover, he gains additional information on the policies behind mining regulations from Nikki Skuce, who leads the network for stricter rules for mining companies. As a result, a large portion of the information is provided by people directly linked to the topic of investigation.
Improvements
At the same time, the article can be improved upon following the principles of scientific research. Some numbers are cited – the author uses data from the Mining Association of British Columbia to show how much revenue mining companies have generated in 2017 (Miller, 2022b). Nonetheless, much of the information is not appropriately referenced – the author includes statistics and does not provide a citation or a source where readers can confirm these findings and read more about them. It is vital in studies to provide as much information as possible to maintain transparency and allow the audience to review their conclusions. Such a lack of sources makes the article’s findings less reliable.
Impact on the Earth
The article’s topic directly affects the territories and people living in British Columbia and the Northern regions of the United States. The journalist brings the audience’s attention to the effects of mining on biodiversity, people’s sources of food and water, and the destruction of the natural landscape. However, one may also argue that the topic can be seen as a part of a global issue in which insufficient regulations for businesses affect people’s and animals’ living conditions, leading to a major environmental crisis. For example, as the biodiversity of certain species decreases, it may affect other animals and plants that are either consumed by or consume these creatures. Therefore, the destruction of one ecosystem may have a negative impact on other locations and their populations.
Personal Impact
While the story does not affect me personally, it resonates with other issues involving everyone. According to Mohsin et al. (2021), mining is an unsustainable practice and can be considered one of the major factors increasing the progression of climate change. Thus, the geographically-limited discussion of the article can be applied to other regions, highlighting the effect of the mining industry on nature and people’s lives. As the mining sector affects biodiversity and landscapes, it also impacts one’s access to clean water, diverse sources of food, and living conditions. The personal impact of this article is indirect, but the topic is a part of an interconnected dialogue about the dangers of insufficient regulations and oversight.
References
Miller, S. R. (2022a). About. Stephen Robert Miller. Web.
Miller, S. R. (2022b). Spilling over. Discover Magazine, 34-41.
Mohsin, M., Zhu, Q., Naseem, S., Sarfraz, M., & Ivascu, L. (2021). Mining industry impact on environmental sustainability, economic growth, social interaction, and public health: An application of semi-quantitative mathematical approach. Processes, 9(6), 972. Web.