Corporate giants are a part of the problem and need to help

Iagree that by sponsoring the climate talks, major corporate giants promote themselves as part of the solution when actually they are part of the problem. However, it is also important for giant corporates to be involved in climate talks.

Contrary to what the major corporates display, they cause more harm then good. They are direct contributors to pollution and global warming. Ahead of the COP21 climate talks in Paris, art collective Brandalism put up 600 pieces of street art in the city protesting and denouncing corporate sponsorship of the UN climate talks. A fake advertisement for Volkswagen read: “We’re sorry that we got caught.” It reminded onlookers of the car company’s recent emissions scandal.

The industry sector produces the goods and raw materials we use every day. The greenhouse gases emitted during industrial production may include direct emissions that are produced at the facility, and indirect emissions that occur off site, but are associated with the facility’s use of energy. Most direct emissions come from the consumption of fossil fuels for energy.

Climate change cannot be solved by individuals, policymakers, governments, or companies alone. We need to collaborate and design a low-carbon future. But it also requires each party to do their bit. We also need to create awareness through campaigns locally, nationally and internationally; discussions on social media will also help people understand the need to cut down carbon emissions.