simonwr |
October 1, 2009
Check out the film from coffee producer Gevalia: http://www.gevalia.dk/.
Though it is in Danish, the point is pretty clear: the farmers of south America gets water and schools when this particular brand is purchased. However, they don’t get running water, they get a well. They won’t get more than one classroom in their school, and their new houses will look exactly like the old. In other words, these farmers should not expect the living standards of the west. And it is not in the interest of the company to see them prosper so.
In the western interference of the globe, prosperity is brought along if money is the outcome. If not, low income, high risk jobs is your future.
simonwr |
September 18, 2009
As we approach the climate change conference in Copenhagen this winter, the same topic occur over and over in the media: the attempt of governments to avoid giving in to the demands of the climate, or at least, how not to pay for saving the climate. The meetings of the world leaders seems to be turning into a bizarre game of poker, wherein everybody tries to make the others put more into the pot. Of course this is not entirely true, but the will of a specific region or state to be forerunner has yet to manifest. In the west, or global north, arguments against global warming and man made climate change is still existent, even though the effects of climate change are already very real and increasing. To doubt the effects of climate change seems to have to reasons:
One is the politicians attempt to keep the voters opinion on things such as green taxes negative.
Another is for the big corporates, the oil and shipping industries in particular, to preserve acceptance of their vast polluting companies, that are solely dependent on the steady flow and use of fossil fuels, thus making their business interest exactly opposite to the needs of this planet. This also turns into an argument of our leaders, to preserve the oil dependent corporations, which in the short run gives a political advantage, but of course is a catastrophic approach. The financial crisis truly showed who the governments support: the banks, partly in fault of the financial crisis, received outrages amounts of money in subsidies. The workers received nothing but a harsh reality check from the capitalist society, that can not even preserve its own main participants: the banks. Why should we expect a different approach towards the companies when it comes to effects and causes of global warming?
Sadly, it does not seem that our own elected leaders are able or willing to accept the responsibility that we have given them. That leaves it to the companies to take responsibility. And some do! But still, the 10 largest companies of the world are oil producers, shipping companies and the American temple of consumerism; Wal-mart. Meaning that the richest people in the world, living in the richest country have no interest in green energy, or abolishing of fossil fuel as energy source, should they wish to sustain their lives just the way they are.
This leaves it to rest, the people, to change their ways, and to show their leaders that a solid reaction towards climate change is wanted and needed.
simonwr |
September 9, 2009
as well as the first blog of a life, the global change campaign offers its participants to engage the world with the new global media of today. Curios about the will of other bloggers to engage in online blogging, in heavy competition with thousands of others, as well as the competition from the vast possibilities of procrastination, the internet offers, I as well, will try to reach the world along with the other students from the global change campaign in order to learn, share and hopefully change.
