Smoke and Mirrors: Life in the Shadow of the Industrial Titans
- Penned by Rune Weichert
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A Small Town Existence Amidst the Industrial Clout of Towering Smokestacks - Canada's Cloud Manufacturing Hub - Town Life Amidst Industrial Giant: Humble Existence Under the Towering Smokestacks of Canada's Prime Cloud Manufacturer
As a whippersnapper, wide-eyed and curious, he'd gaze up at the sky and watch the smokestacks belching fumes, questioning if the factories birthed the clouds, Chris Donovan reminisces.
"Nah, lad," his old man responded. "They mint money."
Such tales are common in good ol' Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada - a city graced with the presence of the country's largest oil refinery and shelter to one of the wealthiest clans in the land. Yet, it's also the home of one of the poorest neighborhoods, with a child poverty rate edging towards a jaw-dropping 50%.
Chris Donovan, a photojournalist extraordinaire, resides in this quaint town, having grown up there. Once upon a time, he snapped pictures for the "Telegraph-Journal" rag, a newspaper he consumed in his childhood days. These days, Donovan dedicates himself to extensive photographic projects that delve into issues of class struggle and environmental justice. With his masterpiece "Cloud Factory," he sheds light on the lingering injustices in a city where the godlike Irving family dictates all aspects and landmarks with their factories and commercial conglomerate.
The Irving Kings Rule Economy and Press in Saint John
The Irving family has wedged themselves into the local economy like a stubborn tapeworm, for years monopolizing newspapers in the province. This twist of fate fostered a culture of hush-hush, enabling the oil industry to coddle its power within the community like an overbearing parent. Donovan soon realized the newspaper he worked for was far from impartial, staunchly censoring topics related to the environment and the rampant industries connected with the Irvings.
Lisa Crandall and her kin dwell in the Bayside district, residing near the refinery. One fateful year in 2018, at least 30,000 liters of butane spilled from a pipeline not far from their dwelling, dispersing into their neighborhood over a grueling 17 hours. Following the incident and ensuing chaos, Irving Oil is said to have purchased some of the affected houses for prices ranging from $80K to $110K. Tragically, Lisa's family was left neglected, perpetually living in fear of further calamities but strapped for cash to leave their surroundings.
In conversations with residents directly impacted, Donovan found a climate of fear hovering over the predominantly destitute populace. Fear ripe with whispers of retribution for daring to voice their concerns.
"Cloud Factory" - A Roar and a Whisper
As Donovan began exposing the city and its people through his lens in 2014, exploring the coexistence of affluence and poverty, he grew more acutely aware of the reality of environmental elitism and the environmental inequalities in the city. As he muses, "Through photographing environmental injustice and reflecting on my own upbringing, I examine how identity emerges in a community dependent on an unfortunate industry for its continued survival." It wasn't in Donovan's plans to uncover a connection to the monopolized industry of the region, but that's precisely what he stumbled upon – censored environmental reporting that strangled the community's voice for decades.
"‘Cloud Factory’ is my affront. This book is my middle finger to the stifling culture of environmental elitism and the crimes of the ruling class. It is also my love letter to the city of Saint John, a magical place teeming with beauty, hope, resilience, truth, and love, and a strong-willed people who have weathered the storm yet continue to stand tall in defiance against the oppressive powers that be."
- In the Community Policy, measures can be considered to address the disparities between wealth and poverty in Saint John, promoting fairness and justice for all residents.
- Employment Policy could potentially focus on creating jobs in environmental-science industries, providing alternatives to the oil-and-gas sector and reducing the reliance on one industry.
- The financial sector, in collaboration with the industry, could invest in renewable energy sources, transitioning away from fossil fuels and reducing environmental pollution.
- In the realm of business and wealth management, the Irving family's influence can be addressed by implementing regulations to prevent monopolies and ensure fair competition, empowering the voice of the community and promoting a sustainable and equitable industry.
