Erin Brockovich Corporate Social Responsibility Hero

1. Erin Brockovich Corporate Social Responsibility Hero By Lauren Miller Missouri, USA

2. Erin Brockovich-In Her Own Words • “I am an advocate for awareness, the truth, and a person's right to know. I believe that in the absence of the truth, all of us stand helpless to defend ourselves, our families and our health, which is the greatest gift we have. As with everything, some people always go too far, too far to the right, too far to the left, and this is true of environmentalism and now, in many instances, our issues fall on a deaf ear.”* * http://www.brockovich.com/philosophy.html

3. Past and Current Projects • Erin Brockovich is an outspoken advocate for personal empowerment on environmental issues • She is best known for her investigation that uncovered how Pacific Gas and Electric was poisoning a small town’s water supply • “In 1996, as a result of the largest direct action lawsuit of its kind…the utility giant was forced to pay out the largest toxic tort injury settlement in US history: $333 million in damages to more than 600…residents.” • Current Projects: • Gulf Oil Spill: Advocating for people impacted • Environmental: Organizes resources for individuals harmed by environmental issues • Pharmaceutical: Investigates impact of, and claims of, various drugs

4. Why She’s My Hero • I feel that Erin Brockovich is a CSR hero because she is fighting for issues that impact all of us • Her fight against Pacific Gas and Electric showed how individuals can learn about issues and fight giant corporations who are being dishonest • The large damages in the l996 settlement was a warning to corporations that they could no longer pollute with impunity • Corporations now are more aware of the need to take notice of the environmental problem she and others are fighting