Nederland in de Wereld - Schiphol

Menu Option B van het hoofdstuk gaat over Nederland in de wereld. Dit is een opdracht, dat gaat over Schiphol.
En omdat ik TTO (Twee Talig Onderwijs) volg, is het allemaal in het Engels.

1. What is the subject of this menu option?
Schiphol is very important for our economy. A lot of jobs are provided by Schiphol. Because of competition Schiphol needs to grow with it competitors: Schiphol should keep its place as a main port.
But the environment is also a restricting factor. All those measures impose restrictions of Schiphol.
So you could say that there is a kind of battle between the economic interest and the environmental interest. With this exercise we are going to learn about this ‘battle’.

2. What are the reasons for allowing Schiphol to grow?
As I already told you in question one, Schiphol is very important for our economy. Now a day more than 100,000 people work at Schiphol, and Schiphol makes about 5-6 billion Euros a year.
Schiphol plays also an important role in the international trade of the Netherlands, but it is not the only main port in Europe. For instance, if you want to fly from New York to Barcelona you have a choice: via London, Frankfurt, Paris, Madrid or Amsterdam. In order to stay a main port, it is necessary to grow; you need to grow with your competitors.
In brief, the bigger Schiphol, the more money the Dutch will receive.

3. What are the environmental reasons to impose restrictions on Schiphol’s growth?
The disadvantageous environmental problems for growing Schiphol can’t be just ignored because growing will have considerable consequences. More exhaust pollution, a fear or air disaster, less land around Schiphol to build on (or even break down houses) and an important reason for not growing is the noise pollution.

4. Can “economy” and “environment” go together? Explain how the Dutch try to achieve a growing Schiphol together with care for the environment?
Lots of economists today say that Schiphol is not full grown yet, but also people who know more from the environment say that Schiphol is already full grown for years.
So how will Schiphol get bigger on one side and think of the environment on the other side?
In order to achieve a growing Schiphol, we should bear the consequences; I mentioned in question 3, in mind: we should take measures. Taking measures like only allowing airplanes with a particular exhaust limit. We could do this by producing more economical airplanes, preventing air traffic jams, or lessen the demand for flying.
Taking measures is not that easy: it is the economy versus the environment. For example, when we do not allow particular airplanes, which exceed the exhaust- or noise pollution, to land on Schiphol, we should realise that lots of airlines will go to competitors and that Schiphol won’t act anymore as a main port. A measure like this can’t be taken by the Netherlands itself by should be taken by Europe and its countries. In brief, we are constantly confronted with the fact that economy and environment are battling. Even you would take measures in Europe; there will always be a one at the cost of the other.
In my opinion, we must make a choice between the economy and the environment.

5. Use assement G5 in the Geo Guide to form your opinion on the following statement:

“Schiphol is so important for the economy of the Netherlands that imposing restrictions on its growth will have negative consequences for the country as a whole.”
Step-by-step approach:

Step 1: What is the problem?
Should Schiphol grow or not.

Step 2: Who are involved?
- Airlines
- Passengers
- The Dutch
- Neighbouring people
- Companies ‘inside’ and ‘outside’
- Employers of Schiphol
- Nature protectors
- The Government

Step 3: What is the opinion of those involved?
- Airlines: yes, grow
- Passengers: yes, grow
- The Dutch: both
- Neighbouring people: no, do not grow
- Companies ‘inside’ and ‘outside’: yes, grow
- Employers of Schiphol: yes, grow
- Nature protectors: no, do not grow
- The Government: both

Step 4: Why do they think that?
- Airlines
They want to develop and grow. For example, more flights. This can only be done if Schiphol grows either.
- Passengers
If Schiphol won’t grow, probably airlines are going to move to other main ports. If someone still wants to fly with this airline he will need to move either.
Also, if airlines will move, passengers will have less choice which means that prices will rise.
- The Dutch
The opinion of the Dutch people is both yes and no. People complain about the noise and smell pollution and do not want the earth being polluted, but no rise in the economy will affect their wallet.
- Neighbouring people
People who live very near Schiphol don’t want to smell and hear the airplanes. When Schiphol will expand their area there will also be a lot of houses knocked over.
- Companies ‘inside’ and ‘outside’
If Schiphol won’t grow, companies are really going to suffer. Less movement of people and goods: less drinks to sell, less goods to transport, less this, less that...
- Employers of Schiphol
Of course they are for growing Schiphol because they don’t want to lose their job.
- Nature protectors
They don’t want the nature being destroyed, protect animals and stop the earth pollution.
- The Government
They have all, different opinions. The minister of financials doesn’t want the economy to fall while the minister of environment wants to control the environment. The Government needs to discuss and find a solution, but that is the problem.

Step 5: What is your opinion?
In my opinion, we should choose between them: grow or not. I choose for growing because as the statement says, if Schiphol won’t grow this will have negative consequences for the Netherlands as a whole and I agree with this statement. I think we should grow but with measures taken to protect the environment. These measures must be taken then all over the world.