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At the time, one of the world's largest energy companies, Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) had been secretly poisoning the groundwater of Hinkley, California for over 30 years.
They were dumping a toxic chemical called chromium 6 into unlined pools (“Erin Brockovich”).
Furthermore, the 370 million gallons of contaminated water proceeded to seep into the groundwater providing the water needs; meaning that very water was constantly used everyday for drinking, bathing, and showering by the residents of Hinkley (“Erin Brockovich”).

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3. What types of action has the person used?

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3. What types of action has the person used?

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The Objective:

1. Raise awareness on the detrimental effects of the toxic chemical chromium 6

2. Moreover, hold PG&E accountable for the damages they have inflicted

Actions used to meet objectives:
(Morgenstern)

EDUCATING

She raised awareness about chromium 6 by educating herself and then others

She led and rallied the local residents along with the law office Masry and Vititoe to rage a lawsuit against PG&E

In 2000, a film was released called Erin Brockovich garnering international attention on chromium 6

COMMUNICATING

She spoke her mind against such a large corporation

She told the public of the health complications caused from chromium 6

AGITATING

She initiated a public event (lawsuit)

Protest

Wrote official complaint letters and petitions around Hinkley

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It is a fundamental human right to be able to access safe drinking water. According to the United Nations:

Access to water and sanitation are recognized by the United Nations as human rights, reflecting the fundamental nature of these basics in every person’s life. Lack of access to safe, sufficient and affordable water, sanitation and hygiene facilities has a devastating effect on the health, dignity and prosperity of billions of people, and has significant consequences for the realization of other human rights. (UN-Water)

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4. What has the individual achieved? What has changed and what has stayed the same as a result of the actions taken?

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4. What has the individual achieved? What has changed and what has stayed the same as a result of the actions taken?

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Other than the fact the lawsuit had been successful, Erin had also brought international attention to the use of the toxic chemical. It wasn't until 2014 that chromium 6 had been acknowledged as a cancer causing chemical in California (EJOLT), so she had played a role shaping toxic policies. Furthermore, this shone as a reminder for our society on the problematic consequences towards neglecting proper toxic waste disposal and the regulations for toxic chemical (Banks 9). Nevertheless, she fought for justice as an environmental and consumer advocate. The lawsuit had cost to PG&E about million, as they had to halt their uses of chromium 6, compensate for the affected people and a start an expensive clean up and decontaminate in Hinkley's water system. The town of Hinkley, is now left as a ghost town.

In 2000, Hollywood had made a movie called Erin Brockovich, it had brought international attention spreading the message on newspapers and national television shows. The release of the film Erin Brockovich

... made chromium a common household word... [and] has vastly increased public awareness about chromium and its health effects. (Banks 16)

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2. Relevant background information 

(events, factors, or reasons that inspired Erin to become an agent of change)

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2. Relevant background information 

(events, factors, or reasons that inspired Erin to become an agent of change)

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After being seriously injured because of a traffic accident, she she hired Ed Masry to represent her. Later on in 1992, Ed had accepted her request for a job at his law firm as a file clerk for Masry and Vititoe because he had felt sorry for her (she was a two time divorcee and a single mother of three young children) (“Erin Brockovich”).

Moreover, her suspicions were first raised when she was came across odd medical records with blood samples included in a real estate case (“Erin Brockovich”).

Therefore, she then went on to visit the residents in Hinkley, California. That is where she had found proof that connected the illnesses to the high levels of chromium 6 found in the drinking water. Next, they had followed the trail back to PG&E's compressor station in Hinkley (part of pipeline system linking Texas to California) (“Erin Brockovich”).

A year later, the awareness of the health problems caused by PG&E  had spread. In 1993, about 600 citizens had hired her and Masry & Vititoe to represent them, despite PG&E's efforts in trying to hide their repercussions (“Erin Brockovich”).

In 1996, this had exploded into the largest lawsuit of its kind in the history of the United States of America. They had to pay $333 million in damages to more than 600 residents in Hinkley. It was "the largest toxic tort injury settlement in US history" (“Erin Brockovich”).

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5. c) If success has not yet been achieved, why should we still call the individual an agent of change?

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5. c) If success has not yet been achieved, why should we still call the individual an agent of change?

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Yes she should still be called an agent of change because she took action after upon discovering what had been going on with this utility giant.

Some Hinkley residents claim that PG&E knew of the chromium 6 contamination as early as 1965 but told no one. (Banks 11)

Therefore, there were people who had known what was going on for 30 years however, no one had decided to take action. However, Erin Brockovich did. Despite the fact she was only a file clerk at the law firm and a a single mother, she rised to the occasion. This is what makes her an against of change, she did what others did not, she fought to make the world notice the shady terrible things PG&E was trying to get away with. However, she didn’t stop there, she took it to court to find some sort of compensation for the affect residents and incited the remediation of PG&E pollution. Without her help, more people would have died due to PG&E deliberate failure in telling the residents of the severe life-long health problems chromium 6 caused. Before that, the residents of Hinkley were frequently exposed to the contaminated water, through ingestion and inhalation.

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5. a) How successful has the individual been in creating change?

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5. a) How successful has the individual been in creating change?

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Erin Brockovich had been very successful because she had gained international awareness on the harmful affects of chromium 6. Finally, she had fought for the fundamental right to safe clean drinking water.

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5. b) What criteria will be used to justify this success?

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5. b) What criteria will be used to justify this success?

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Firstly, bringing justice to what is wrong no matter the opponent is important, especially in violation of a human right. Her cause was a worthy one as she had advocating for environmental change and the human right of right to safe and clean drinking water, the right to life. To conclude, she raised awareness to chromium 6.

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Websites

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(“California Repudiates Erin Brockovich on Hexavalent Chromium”)

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(MoviemanTrailers)

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(“‘Erin Brockovich’ Carcinogen in Tap Water of More than 200 Million Americans”)

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(“Pacific Gas & Electric”)

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Why is chromium 6 so bad?

Firstly, it is a harmful carcinogen that causes serious health problems such as cancer, tumors and birth defects (EJOLT).

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It was used to prevent rusting in the cooling system for the natural gas pipeline that ran from Texas to California. It was the most cheapest and efficient corrosion prevention method available at the time (Banks 10).

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Images