Can the bulldozers in Indonesia be stopped? | Climate Connections

Back in September, world leaders and major corporations joined the New York Declaration on Forests at the UN Climate Summit. From Germany to the U.S., Nestle to Kellogg’s, the signatures on this no-deforestation policy, according to an article on Earth Island Journal, definitely raise a few eyebrows.But are they really doing anything to stop razing the land?

via Can the bulldozers in Indonesia be stopped? | Climate Connections.

World Bank wants water privatized, despite risks ~ News Forage

“Corporations don’t have a social or development mission,” Naficy told me. “Right now we’re funding development to prop up private projects, instead of putting the decisions for funding in the hands of governments that are accountable to people.”

Clean and affordable water is the basis of life. Skyrocketing water prices, unsafe supply, failing infrastructure — these problems fall disproportionately on the most vulnerable among us. This is why public institutions, not private corporations, must lead the development of water systems and delivery. The World Bank Group is uniquely positioned to increase access to clean water for the billions who need it. Instead of using its position to line the pockets of water companies, it should support what is most needed: affordable, clean — and public — water for all.

via World Bank wants water privatized, despite risks ~ News Forage.

Let’s debate focus on commercially driven scientific research | The Chronicle Herald

Ottawa has been pouring billions of dollar annually into both private-sector and university-based research that, it argues, serves the public’s interest by working to develop the next best “thing.” In this formulation of the public’s interest, public money is used to subsidize about 90 per cent of the costs associated with research that aims to generate privately owned intellectual properties, like a ground-breaking cancer-busting drug for example, that the public then gets to buy at tremendous expense. Apparently, if the public agrees to pay twice, corporations will invest in and grow Canada’s economy. So scarce resources are being pulled from the kind of research that does not have any obvious or immediate commercial interest and directed to those research programs that have precisely that potential.

via Let’s debate focus on commercially driven scientific research | The Chronicle Herald.

Pressing Refresh Notes:

Couldn’t have said it better!

SumOfUs

Thanks to Tanya who has a WordPress blog titled Illuminate and her post Kellogg’s and Wilmar Sign Commitments to Stop Deforesting Rainforests, I was introduced to SumOfUs.

What is SumOfUS?

“SumOfUs is a movement of consumers, workers and shareholders speaking with one voice to counterbalance the growing power of large corporations. Join us on our journey as we seek to make the world a better place for ourselves, our children and all who share our planet.”

From their About Page:

Here’s what we stand for:

• Governments that answer to citizens – not corporations
• Fair treatment of workers and the right of every human being to make a living, safely and ethically, for themselves and their family;
• The right of ordinary consumers to products that are produced and marketed ethically, sustainably and transparently;
• The right of communities to manage and protect their own environment and natural resources;
• Business models that put people and the planet first instead of being driven by shortsighted greed.

Yeah, take that deep breath, close your eyes and imagine what kind of a world that could be – and then crash back to this one.

We’ve witnessed again and again what happens when powerful corporations get their way:

• Environmental and health catastrophes like Fukushima and the BP oil disaster;
• A global financial crisis that destroys entire economies;
• Rising food prices and starving children;
• Families from Kalamazoo to Timbuktu losing their houses and land;
• Poisons pouring into our air and water.

You name it, corporations are behind it. But rather than being held accountable – their CEOs are often walking away with bonuses. And these injustices are largely left to continue unabated.

But the world doesn’t have to be this way. And here’s the secret: We own the corporations that are causing all these problems. They rely on us to buy their products. They count on us to buy their stock. They need us to work for them. They need us to continue to elect governments that let them get away with murder.

We are SumOfUs.org, and we’re not going to take it anymore.

Sounds like a good idea. I haven’t researched it yet but will do so in the near future.