Ajax could ‘alter the social fabric’ says TRU professor
NEWS/ AJAX — A TRU professor will talk about the social impact of the proposed Ajax mine in a presentation Sunday.
Dr. Michael Mehta, Professor of Geography and Environmental Studies, will give a public presentation entitled “Risk, Conflict, And The Social Fabric: Toward A Comprehensive Social Impact Assessment On The Proposed Ajax Mine Project.”
The talk will take place on Sunday, April 19 at 2:30 p.m. in the TRU Clocktower (Alumni) Theatre.
Mehta said the proposed mine has the potential to polarize communities around Kamloops, generate conflict, and “alter the social fabric.”
“Most large scale resource projects include a social impact assessment, but these assessments are narrow in scope and often incomplete,” said Mehta.
In his presentation, Dr. Mehta will show “how an understanding of risk perceptions, values, and general attitudes toward the environment can expand the scope of social impact assessments, and potentially provide direction for more thoughtful and sensitive discussions about the future of Kamloops.”
Mehta specializes in science, technology and society with a focus on environmental and health risk issues.
The event is sponsored by the TRU Faculty Association Human Rights Committee. Parking and admission are free.

“general attitudes toward the environment” are generally lax around here and there are good reasons to worry for worse.
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