In 2005: Blow the Whistle
In 2005, Rick Piltz resorted to blowing the whistle concerning a cover-up where Philip Cooney intended to thwart reports concerning global warming from reaching the members of the public. As a way of ensuring that he prevented the deceit concerning Carbon IV Oxide level in the atmosphere, Piltz resolved to resign from his position in the government and used New York Times to communicate the details regarding Cooney's plans. Piltz's decision to be a whistleblower on global warming was appropriate because it helped in revealing the truth concerning environmental degradation, inspired journalists and researchers, proved that he was an ethical leader and helped expose the rot in government agencies even though he lost his well-paying job.
Revealing the Truth: Improving Welfare of Citizens
Piltz was right in blowing the whistle against the issue of Carbon IV Oxide report because his action helped reveal the truth concerning air pollution thereby influenced the American government to initiate policies that aided in improving the welfare of citizens. Notably, Environmental Management Agencies have initiated policies that require industries to purify wastes (gaseous compounds) before emission into the atmosphere (EPA 1). Through purification, the American factories have considerably reduced the pollutants that adversely affect welfare of citizens. Furthermore, Piltz's initiatives helped in influencing private developers to improve technology to help eradicate the challenges of air pollution. For instance, a majority of investors have resorted to the production of locomotives that use electricity and biogas instead of the fossil fuels which produce substantial carbon compounds that are detrimental to the welfare of humanity. The initiatives such as the improvements in technology and implementation of strict policies to help guard environments have been beneficial in enhancing the welfare of humankind.
Inspiring Other Scientists and Journalists
The resolution by Piltz to reveal the truth concerning Carbon IV Oxide emission into the atmosphere and government agency's unethical practices also helped in inspiring other scientists and journalists to engage in studies or investigations that have helped in providing vital information concerning environmental pollution and management approaches (Devine 1). The research and recommendations by other scholars who Piltz inspired have played a crucial role in elevating the environmental agencies' ability to effectively manage issues of pollution from the factories and sensitize society members concerning effective approaches for eradicating the issue above. Moreover, Piltz's decision to blow the whistle regarding government agency's plans to conceal the truth concerning carbon iv oxide emission aided in encouraging private entities to closely monitor government activities thus help safeguard citizens' welfare.
Shedding Light on Unethical Practices
Piltz's resolution to expose the Cooney's attempts to conceal the truth concerning Carbon IV Oxide level in the atmosphere helped in revealing the rot in government agencies. According to Gorton (1), some government officials often engage in unethical practices that adversely affect the welfare of citizens; therefore, it is appropriate for individuals to initiate steps that can change the improper actions among leaders serving in various positions in a society. In the case of air pollution and Piltz's decision to reveal the truth, he played a critical role in enhancing transparency in the government thereby ensuring that other leaders become cautious with the activities that they undertake. However, if Piltz had not blown the whistle concerning Cooney's activities, some federal agencies would have continued with their trend of concealing the truth hence expose citizens to various dangers.
An Ethical Leader
Whistleblowing on the unethical practices Cooney undertook was also appropriate because it helped in portraying that Piltz was a moral leader who had desires to improve the integrity of government agencies. Brown (297) argues that integrity is an essential element in improving the credibility of a research and it is necessary that scientists support the findings and recommendations from particular studies that they undertake hence affirm that researchers are ethical in activities they execute. One of the strategies that leaders can use to prove that they are honest entails performance of one's duties without engaging in other activities that contradict the ethical codes of organizations in which they work. On the other hand, leaders can prove their integrity by avoiding plans that can adversely affect the welfare of citizens or the people they lead. Therefore, through Piltz actions, one can deduce that he is an honest leader or researcher who has an aim of improving citizens' welfare.
Loss of Job, but an Important Decision
The decision by Piltz to reveal the unethical activities that environmental agency under Bush administration was doing concerning environmental pollution made him lose his job where he was earning a substantial income. Through a loss of a job, one does not receive any income and thus an individual will face various economic and social problems (Devine 1). In the case of Piltz, the resolution to reveal that a federal official had interfered with a report concerning concentration of Greenhouse Gases in the atmosphere led to his resignation hence loss of job and income but he helped enhance truth in the department of department under President Bush's administration. Furthermore, after some period Piltz managed to get another employment hence an implication that although he lost his well-paying job, he still had some job opportunities in other fields. As evident from activities that transpired after Piltz had lost his position at the Environmental department, it is deducible that decision to reveal unethical practices by Cooney was an important decision.
Promoting Integrity in Government Agencies
Finally, through an exposure of unethical practice at the Environmental Department in President Bush's administration, Piltz played a vital role in enhancing integrity among the government officials. Brown (298) opines that whistle-blowing is a vital strategy that aids in promoting transparency in various departments in government agencies. Through an elevation of integrity in public institutions, citizens can receive proper services that help in enhancing their well-being. A majority of workers in the state officers fail to properly conduct their activities in an ethical manner because they have a feeling that no agency is monitoring their practices. However, through Piltz's resolution to expose immoral practice by Cooney (senior government official), a majority of the state workers learnt that junior workers can expose them whenever they indulge in immoral activities. Consequently, Piltz's decision to intervene was essential in streamlining activities in the government agencies.
Conclusion: A Whistleblower for the Betterment of Society
To conclude, Piltz's decision to be a whistleblower on global warming was appropriate because it helped in revealing the truth concerning environmental degradation, inspired journalists and researchers, proved that he was an ethical leader and helped expose the rot in government agencies even though he lost his well-paying job. Furthermore, the Piltz's actions were pivotal in portraying that he is an honest leader who has proper plans for improving welfare of the citizens. Through Piltz's actions, he helped encourage junior government employees to be bold in their actions and help in advocating for morality in the agencies where they work.
Works cited
Brown, A J. International Handbook on Whistleblowing Research. , 2014. Internet resource.
Devine, Shanna. “How to Help Whistleblowers Turn Their Information into Power”, 2018 Mar.16. Web.2018 Oct. 11.
<https://www.citizenvox.org/2018/03/16/21808/>
Environmental Protection Agency, EPA. “Center for Corporate Climate Leadership: GHG Reduction Programs " Strategies”, 2017. Web. 2018 Oct. 11
<https://www.epa.gov/climateleadership/center-corporate-climate-leadership-ghg- reduction-programs-strategies>
Gorton, Erick. “Prominent whistleblowers share experience with students, faculty”, 2016. Web. 2018 Oct. 11
<https://www.jmu.edu/news/2013/04/11-whistleblower-tour.shtml>
