In his recent weekly address, President Obama called attention to the threat of climate change as a prelude to the upcoming observation of Earth Day 2015. First celebrated in April, 1970, Earth Day has become one of those days honored more in the breach than the observance. The President plans to visit the Florida Everglades on April 22 where he will speak about the threat that climate change poses to our economy and to the world
He has a tough row to hoe, because the reckless crescendo of abuse of the planet has continued unabated ever since that first celebration 45 years ago. Rain forests are being cut down at a furious rate. Carbon dioxide build up in the atmosphere has pushed global warming to or beyond the point of no return with disastrous consequences looming for us and our posterity. Corporate profits are protected while the corporations rape the earth. Meanwhile an ignorant, frightened populace engages in denial of the scientific evidence for climate change and longs for the restoration of an illusory libertarian paradise of the past.
The same callous disregard shown for the environment extends to callous disregard for the rights and well being of people. A recent leak of a section in the looming Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal reveals language that requires signatory countries to renounce preferred treatment for locally owned companies and instead offer better treatment to international corporations.(1) Does your community want to provide incentives to support local agriculture or tax incentives to local businesses in an industrial or commercial park? That might become a thing of the past.
What will a future world of such favoritism to international corporations look like? Consider a little known complaint (2) lodged with the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes, an agency of the World Bank, against the government of Uruguay. Phillip Morris complains that the extensive anti-smoking graphics required on cigarette packages “devalues its cigarette trademarks and investments in the country” and is suing Uruguay for compensation.
So how many human lives is a trademark worth, Phillip Morris?
Are we fiddling while Rome burns; engaging in mere frivolity? Perhaps it depends on whether or not we pass by another Earth Day without asking ourselves some serious questions. What can I do that might really make a difference? Am I keeping well informed about the issues raised by environmental consciousness? Do I write legislators about relevant issues and challenge them if I get an unacceptable response? Do I act to get the big money out of politics that skews the equation in favor of what Teddy Roosevelt called “malefactors of great wealth”?
If the answer to these questions is no, then yes, this is self-indulgent frivolity.
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(1) David Korten, “A Trade Rule that Makes It Illegal to Favor Local Business? Newest Leak Shows TPP Would Do That And More”, Yes! Magazine, April 15, 2015
(2) eve, “Philip Morris vs Kids of Uruguay”, DailyKos, April 12, 2015