Crude Awakening
Speaking of gargantuan corporations, Fortune’s Global 500 proves our planet’s economy is completely unsustainable.
Seven oil companies: Holland (1) UK (4) France (6) China (9) and the U.S. (2, 5 & 7) are in the top 10. These giants exploit nonrenewable resources. #3 is big-box retailer Wal-Mart, under siege by environmental and local activists. Dutch financial services titan, ING (see #1) is #8. The world’s largest car company, from tiny Japan – which could be car-free, is #10.
By 20 we get 4 more oil/energy companies and 3 more car manufacturers. If you are horrified, or at least care, watch the award winning documentary The End of Suburbia. Even if you don’t buy the logic of “peak oil production” (which I don’t) or Who Killed the Electric Car (which I do), it’s a revelation.
Sustainability is #1 in a series of 19 Blogs, in no particular order, of answers to “Why GoHuman.com?”. A shocking recommendation by company #43 is next.
Picture of Crude Awakening – a Burning Man Event
Reason #2; Reason #3; Reason #4; Reason #5; Reason #6; Reason #7; Reason #8; Reason #9; Reason #10; Reason #11; Reason #12
This entry was posted by Wade Fransson
on Sunday, November 29th, 2009 at 5:42 pm
Filed under Green.
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November 29th, 2009 at 8:19 pm
Wade,
Good stuff… Synchonicity has led us to this moment… I am in direct alignment with your thinking here. I also watched the trailer to the movie collapse and called a friend (that owns a tv) so that I can set up a time to view it “on demand” now that it is out on charter (as of the 15th)
I am working on the email now and am excited to talk to you about this.
November 29th, 2009 at 9:41 pm
Joe,
Thanks for checking out the blog! I look forward to your correspondence.
November 30th, 2009 at 5:23 am
Hi Wade,
Love what you are trying to do. Keep at it and follow your heart. I have tried to conserve, recycle, walk, learn about alternative energy since the late 70’s. 3 years out of he last 30 with a car, I have one now but rarely drive and am debating pulling the plates…I broke a personal rule by working more than 2 miles from home (part time job). Hence the car..the debate continues.
Just a heads up…”The end of Suburbia” is filled with massive errors, half truths and totally disingenuous statistics. Anything that features Simmons should pretty much be ignored. IMO When was the last time he was correct about anything?? I am interested in how his bet works out. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simmons-Tierney_bet I also can’t believe he has been totally silent regarding shale gas and the massive growth in NG in North America.. http://peakoildebunked.blogspot.com/2009/09/420-matt-simmons-buffoonery-never-ends_03.html sadly we will continue to be tied to this for another century. All of this is a non issue if everyone at the grass root level has an awakening and insists on better, cheaper, safer, and renewable alternatives…hey, just stop driving around like numbnuts is a start!! Even though it seems like I am quoting for the other side…I want our side to win. I just think Simmons (and for the record Gore) are the worst of allies in this noble struggle.
Stephen
November 30th, 2009 at 8:13 am
Stephen,
Thanks for your thoughtful comments and information. You’ve provided detail behind my comment on not buying parts of Suburbia – but nonetheless there was much to learn there. I hope you’ll also register @ GoHuman.com and support our movement in other ways too.
Cheers!
December 1st, 2009 at 12:50 pm
Hello Wade,
Changing the societies trends of overspending and ‘over’using is nearly impossible because of the attachment to things.
I live in Holland and as you might know. It is a small country and one of the most populated. It is very important here to economize. Also, its a place where you see lots of people travel by bicycle. I can’t drive and go always by bike. My husband does have a company car. It does save on the environment but also is good exercise. We also have in Holland a day in the year (not enough but is still a good attempt) when everyone is encouraged to not use cars.
What about the plastic that people use? Doesn’t that have to do with oil products as well? This is the place of windmills to generate electricity. More and more people are going for green energy. All our trash is being split up. We have 4 different trash cans. One for recycling plastic (the newest addition), paper, fruits/veggies to return to the farmers, and the rest.
Maybe these are good ideas to start with for the U.S.
Check out on http://www.youtube.com: Story of Stuff … very interesting! This process might have to change in order to sustain what we have left on this earth.
December 1st, 2009 at 9:52 pm
Jamie,
Thanks for your thoughtful comments. Europe is miles ahead of the U.S. on many environmental issues. Holland and Denmark are leaders in that area. But most of the world is addicted to materialistic consumerism.
Thanks also for plugging the Story of Stuff, I’ve been a fan since it first came out, and Andy blogged it here a few months ago – http://blog.gohuman.com/index.php/business/the-story-of-stuff/ – We certainly support what Annie Leonard is doing with that.
You’ve also inspired my next blog – look for it in a day or so!
Cheers.
December 21st, 2009 at 5:50 am
That's the great article! I just pass 'n read it, two thumbs up!