In the next chapter of eaarth- High Tide by Bill McKibben, things seemed to start kind of pleasantly!
I actually thought to myself that this chapter might actually give me some kind
of hope to look forward too. That it did, but just as I started to get excited,
things took a turn downwards.
McKibben
gives all of these statistics about the possibilities of new forms of renewable
energy. Anything from solar and wind power to the possibility of clean nuclear
energy. Then came the issues. All of the new forms of cleaner energy are there
to grab but the problem that seems so prevalent is how our economy is set up.
Moving
to these new forms of energy come with a price, quite frankly an enormous price.
Our economy has been configured in such a way that it needs fossil fuels and
coal to work reliably. With more and more people starting to get informed and
educated on climate change, they realize that these costly changes need to be
made.
So
why don’t we make this change already!? The problem is money, and it always is.
With our economics in the united states, money talks. Let use Exxon Mobil as an
example. Our society so heavily depends on fossil fuels that Exxon’s revenue
has grown to record levels. McKibben makes this statement about Exxon saying, “Exxon
has spent the last decade underwriting an elaborate disinformation campaign to
sow doubt about climate change and with reasonable success; 44 percent of
Americans believe global warming comes from “long-term planetary trends” and
not the pumps at the Exxon station.” (Page 55, eaarth) Money has quite the presence in our society, enough to
create false ideas.
Another
powerful element that comes into play that slows change is politics. With the
money to have strong lobbyist in government, companies like Exxon, can slow the
change that is so desperately needed on our planet. These companies might even
know that change is required, but the purpose of a company is to create a
product that can be sold to create a profit. That is exactly what they are
doing, following the money. If we don't change now, the money that is being gained won't make up what will be lost in the long road.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Iz0NKA1yuo -Here is a little video about some things that will help the planet, while also saving us some money.
Hi Tom! Yes, I agree, companies like Exxon are producing products for the sole purpose of creating a profit. Sometimes I wonder though, do the individuals who are in charge of these companies really have no interest in the health and good of the world, or at least of themselves? Money is only good until the ozone layer is depleted, allowing sun rays to immediately burn every individual on the planet, or until the Antarctic and Greenland Ice Sheets are melted, thereby flooding many countries. Global warming effects us all, and it is shameful that corporations are not willing to see that.
ReplyDeleteWhile I share your confusion about big companies and if they care at all or not, I think they are living in a state of perpetual self centered-ness. They might care about their grandchildren, as most people should, but I'm sure they figure that "I'm rich enough to give my grandchildren a comfortable life even if the world ends up in flames! I'll just build them a geodesic dome with controlled weather!" At least that's what I imagine them to be thinking. The 1% will be safe inside their pods, or rocketing off to colonize another planet while the 99% is stuck here on Eaarth, trying to eke out a new way of life.
DeleteUnfortunately, I do agree with Clara. I think that the people in charge do know what they're doing for public health. They don't have to share the environmental injustices that so many do.
DeleteThere is an investigation going on right now against Exxon claiming their scientists knew about the affects of fossil fuels 40 years ago, before it was even a public issue, and continued to drill. They're accused of spending millions to hide their knowledge. http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/exxon-knew-about-climate-change-almost-40-years-ago/
I don't think It's all the fault of the big oil companies. I do believe that helping the environment is a concern of theirs and it has only grown since 2009. We can't be angry at them for continuing to sell fossil fuels. We need fossil fuels to do everything. And we won't stop burning them until there is a replacement. Can you imagine the fall out if they suddenly decided to stop drilling and stop selling? Can you imagine what would happen? We wouldn't need to wait for global warming to destroy the world. Losing all that energy, all that fuel, would do it for us.
ReplyDeleteI agree that money and big politics are some of the main obstacles that we face in regards to change. The influence that companies such as Exxon have over not only the public, but those who are supposed to be working to help and protect the public is quite intimidating. It feels as though they are more worried about the profits of here and now rather than the future of the Earth as a whole. They've created a monopoly. Oil is king. It runs us. But what happens when we run it completely dry? We've developed as if there is an endless supply of it, and I feel like so have they, and that is why they have focused more on growth and money rather than the effects that it has had on our Earth. I have a feeling that money will only go so far on this new planet of ours. You can only do so much to protect yourself from disease, from natural disaster, from war. So I'm left wondering whether companies like Exxon are going to continue feeding us lies until we've depleted all of the oil and sped up the course of climate change even more, or if they are going to realize the true future that we face and decide to make change?
ReplyDeleteI think you hit the nail on the head: it all comes down to money and profit margins. While many people do believe that changes are needed, the costs of these changes are just too high for them to be able to make the changes and still have competitive prices. Also, many of the alternatives to oil are not as efficient, so not only does it cost more upfront but you are spending more everyday. This just won't fly in our economy.
ReplyDeletePowerful images! It's quite sickening to know that large cooperation's, especially Exxon has known about the effects of climate change since long ago and only cares about the profit they make.
ReplyDelete