CASE ANALYSIS: AN ISLAND FIRESTORM

The case describes a series of events that follows when amoral economic interests conflict
with our moral obligations toward the environment. The case follows the story of an uncharted
island that became a prospect for a tourist attraction and a promising asset to the government’s
tourism industry. When development of establishments in the island finally came through,
degradation of the island started to appear. Numerous studies pointed showed that the once sterile
island paradise quickly became a contaminated wasteland home to many disease causing
microorganisms.
If I were the official concerned and had been given sufficient authority on the matter, I
would take the scientific studies of the chemist very seriously and would seek to close the island
and the establishments residing in it, until nature would take its time to heal the damage that the
tourists had inflicted upon the island. I would side with environmental conservation over economic
interests to show my commitment to public interest. Since the island was deemed unsafe for
tourists, it would be best to prohibit the public from visiting the island, in the interest of protecting
their health and welfare. The possible profits that the tourism industry may benefit from continuing
the operation of the island cannot compensate for the probable permanent damage that may befall
on the island and its ecosystem.
As a public official, we should always take steps in mitigating and controlling crises
especially when it has something to do with the welfare of the many. We must remember that even
though commercializing our natural resources may support our economy, our duty to be God’s
stewards of His creation comes first.