All of our environmental problems are a result of the unintended consequences of the application of new technology.
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| Fossil fuels |
For example; the greenhouse gases that drive climate change are the unforeseen effects of the energy use that arrived with the industrial revolution 200 years ago, the massively increased use of fossil fuels.
Video-A century of climate change in 35 seconds
A recent example is the use of novel neo-neonicotinoid insecticides that harm honey bees.
Recent research- Neonicotinoids harm bees
If you doubt my claim try this; think of an environmental problem that is not a direct or indirect consequence of the application of new technology. You cannot do it. If you think you can......please post it in the comments section.
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| Neonics kill bees |
An individual capitalist or corporation must apply appropriate new technology as quickly as possible in order to gain a competitive advantage. Business does not want to be held back by testing for side effects on the environment. They usually get their way and this results in more environmental degradation.
The market for our basic needs; food, shelter and security depends largely on the size of the human population. Demands of the market can be sated relatively easily. So you have to be sold stuff that you don't really need in order for businesses and the economy to grow. This is consumerism.
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| Shop till you drop....destroy the planet |
ergo Capitalism, competition and consumerism are destroying the planet.
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| He owns the White House, the Kremlin and Westminster |
The, Trump White House is wholly owned by corporate America. In Russia the Kremlin is owned by a kleptocratic oligarch mafia. China practices "State Capitalism" and elsewhere corporate lobbyists call the shots and pull the strings.
The global capitalist system is out of control and incapable of change.
Effective change would require fewer people with fewer perceived needs and more government regulation of business, that might just save the planet but how to we get from here to there....Greed rules OK.
Oh... and the people who voted for Trump are still being screwed by his corporate supporters.
I agree with everything you have said. I get very annoyed by news items that report a drop in profits for huge companies as being a bad thing - they are still making huge profits, but not as much as was anticipated. Also of course house prices - presumably because reporters living in London are likely to take a hit.
ReplyDeleteI still remember the absolute incredulity I felt when realising that the stock exchange was actually a betting shop - still haven't recovered from that!