Connecting Past and Present
November 11, 2024 By: Marsha Clarke
1. Parks Canada approves U.S. company’s purchase of Jasper SkyTram, solidifying its national parks dominance
Calgary Herald
The parks movement has long been known to prioritize financial gains over environmental conservation (Langford, 1873; Bell, 1997). Parks Canada recently sold the sixth of nine tourism attractions in Banff and Jasper National Parks to American-owned VIAD. The recent Jasper SkyTram $25 million acquisition has increased traffic congestion and environmental pressures in Banff (Kaufmann, 2024). Furthermore, VIAD’s monopoly has enabled them to raise prices up to four times the inflation rate and outcompete other tourism businesses by bundling their attractions and offering a discount (Cruickshank, 2024). This acquisition makes park experiences unaffordable to lower-income citizens, like the limited Tatshenshini river trips are available only to those who can afford it (Bell, 1997).
https://calgaryherald.com/news/local-news/parks-canada-approves-us-company-purchase-jasper-skytram
References
Bell, Anne C. “Protecting the Tatshenshini: Wild Nature as Resource?” In Canadian Issues in Environmental Ethics, edited by Alex Wellington, Allan Greenbaum & Wesley Cragg. Peterborough, ON: Broadview Press, 1997.
Cruickshank, Andrew. “U.S. Company under investigation after monopolizing Banff/Jasper attractions.” Cottage Life, November 4, 2024. https://cottagelife.com/general/us-company-under-investigation-after-monopolizing-banffjasper-attractions/.
Kaufmann, Bill. “Parks Canada approves U.S. company’s purchase of Jasper SkyTram, solidifying its national park dominance.” Calgary Herald, September 9, 2024. https://calgaryherald.com/news/local-news/parks-canada-approves-us-company-purchase-jasper-skytram.
Langford, Nathaniel P. Report of the Superintendent of Yellowstone National Park to the Secretary of the Interior for the Year 1872, 1–10. Washington: Government Publications Office, 1873. http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/ampage?collId=amrvg&fileName=vg44//amrvgvg44.db&recNum=0&itemLink=D?consrvbib:2:./temp/~ammem_WJ3C::&linkText=0.
2. South Korea recycles 98% of its food waste. What can it teach the world?
The Washington Post
City livestock manure in mid-nineteenth century was transported to rural farms and used as fertilizer to improve soil nutrients (Steinberg, 2018). Similarly, Daejeon, South Korea recycles nearly all its city food waste to feed livestock, compost into fertilizer, or turn into biogas (Jeong & Yoon, 2024). Communities are beginning to realize the benefits of re-using organics rather than disposing of them in a way that harms the environment. South Korea has reconnected the urban and non-urban, showing the world that cities are a critical component of environmental systems.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/08/09/south-korea-food-waste-composting/
References
Jeong, Andrew and Yoon, Julie. “South Korea recycles 98% of its food waste. What can it teach the world?” The Washington Post, August 9, 2024. https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/08/09/south-korea-food-waste-composting/.
Steinberg, T. “Chapter 10: Death of the Organic City.” In Down to Earth: Nature’s Role in American History. 4th ed. New York: Oxford University Press, 2018.
Hi Marsha!
You have raised two significant concerns: the encroachment of business interests into natural areas and the development of creative ways of handling food waste. VIAD’s monopoly and its implications for the availability of natural areas are also a matter of concern. Given the focus on financial success as the overarching goal of many companies, it does appear to fit within the context of the trends you have identified. In light of these historical antecedents, do you think Parks Canada has the opportunity to develop policy measures to manage the commercialization of the protected areas without compromising public access and environmental conservation? Moreover, South Korea’s approach to food waste recycling is rather successful, especially regarding the connections between urban and rural areas. However, when applying this model at a global level, there can be some difficulties due to the differences in infrastructures and people’s perceptions of waste. In your opinion, is it possible for countries that still lack effective waste management practices to implement some aspects of this strategy?
Thanks for your comment, Aman. I think it is sensible for countries lacking effective waste management practices to consider successful strategies used elsewhere. This is how progress is made; we must share our innovative ideas worldwide for inspiration, collaboration, and building sustainable communities.