The recent hurricanes have caused devastation across the Caribbean and Florida. The loss of life is terrible and some people have lost everything. The fact that these are record-breaking storms may be a symptom of changes we have brought about through our race to consume the planet's resources. George Monbiot has been writing a lot about this topic in the Guardian and I largely agree with him. Even if we are not affecting climate we are wreaking ecosystems all over the world. 'The market' doesn't really care about that and won't include that damage in their balance sheets.
Here's another good piece by George.
It will take politics to get us out of this mess and it should be driven by the people, not business. Perhaps some of those billionaires out there want to do good rather than pull up the drawbridge to keep the rest of us out. They can support those who dare to challenge the current orthodoxy.
I've also been reading some interesting articles in New Internationalist about equality in society and how it has deteriorated in many countries over the last 40 or so years. The widening gap between rich and poor is causing all sorts of issues.
I don't have the answers, but I'll be supporting those who are working to make a better world for all. Giving up is not an option.
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The damage should surely be included on their balance sheets. Very very well said. I am from a developing country unlike United States. Even here, I feel the industrialists are the biggest cause of these murders being caused due to pollution etc. People don't have clean water to drink in many areas. That's not what they deserve as humans. The gap between them and the middle class is increasing rapidly and has to be contained right away in order to reduce down all types of evil, crime for example.
Are you sure global warming is real? I thought it was a Chinese conspiracy to kill the USA and Europe industry. Maybe they have built their own HAARP to manipulate the weather and make the theory more convincing.
Now seriously, we live in a world that has elections every 4-5 years and companies declare their balances at least once per year. This system encourages politicians and businessmen to only take care of short-term consequences.
The only way to protect the environment and reduce inequality is that people start massive protests. But it seems so much technology made my generation very conformist.
There are a lot of people interested in 'business as usual'. We are starting to see real effects and it will have massive consequences. If we don't want mass immigration from Africa and other regions then we have to do what is possible to make life better there. It can't just be about profit and 'growth'.
"A rising tide lifts all boats".
The statement above is usually used to refer to the idea that a growing economy is good for EVERYBODY.
It sounds nice, but the reality is that the majority of people in America are focused on "doing well" - specifically, better than their neighbor, the Joneses. We need to change our mindset to that of "doing good" - finding ways for everyone to prosper, live a healthy and productive life, and have the freedom to do what they want (or at least the opportunity for these things).
I think that's what the Real American Dream is about, and sadly we are moving further and further away from it.
Doing well means trying to lift YOUR boat, ignoring those around you.
Doing good means trying to raise the tide, knowing Your boat (as well as everyone elses) will rise too.
That tide seems to affect some boats more than others. The gap between salaries of normal workers and management is increasing. In many cities regular workers can't afford to live anywhere near their work. Life quality decreases. It could be better if there is the will.
I agree, worker pay remains flat while CEO pay skyrockets alongside productivity.
Is widening the gap between the rich and the poor an inherently evil phenomena? If so, if someone starts making more than others around him, is he now a part of "the evil" deteriorating societies?
Thanks for posting @steevc!
Is concentrating the wealth in a few good for society when there are so many who struggle to get by? I don't mind people being successful, but it's going too far. If you are spending your wealth on gold yachts then you have more than you need. I know it's an unpopular option, but taxation is a means to redistribute wealth. The issue then is that we have to trust the government to spend it wisely.
Interesting, but the government is much richer than the "rich," and they never give out as much as they take. The gap is widening. Keeping it in the power of individuals and private charities is a means of helping those in poverty.
I think fiscal policies are to blame for hyper consumerism and as for climate change i am still waiting to see real evidence.
If we wait for big changes then it's really too late.
It may be a case of waiting for the current system to implode on itself and replace it instead of revamping it or kicking the can down the road
If it does implode then it's unlikely to be the rich who suffer. We're already had some crashes. Most politicians are scared to try anything radical.
I agree that things will get worse before they get any better the stranglehold that economics has on the majority of the population is a bit of a double edged sword
Great topic @steevc, I think, that the rich do not care about us, even if they show some kind of participation in our destiny, then only with their own interest :)
Everyone shows interest in their own interests. The rich are no different from the poor. Each has his own struggles, failures and successes. Many poor people are happy and productive while many rich are irritated and squanderous. We see rich white kids covering their faces and acting like they stand for something, antifa-what? Rejecting history, fact and reality for some agitated cause funded by Soros. OMG!
We see impoverished individuals from impoverished areas of the word, in America too, rise above all odds and make a good lives for themselves, through positive thinking and a refusal to bow down to the lowest common denominator. We are all, individuals, rich or poor, who can have a graceful and civilized life under the rule of LAW that holds equality for all.
We all have to do something that will make the world a better place. So far that does not work.
everyone should support who are trying their level and who are working to make a better world for all everyone need supports :)
Recent storms have caused considerable devastation. Those people should have help This storm has escaped.
thanks@steevc, for the information in your article.