The Sentinel

‘Big business must pay to save world’

- RICHARD R SLATER NEWCASTLE

FIRSTLY, praise to Adam Colclough for his apposite and informativ­e letter (Sentinel, November 18), and my good wishes to him, and his group, for the future.

COP27, you really couldn’t make it up. Following a lukewarm response from the delegates of the world’s major polluters (China and India disgracefu­lly not even attending), at the 11th hour the only remotely tangible response forthcomin­g seemed to be as follows we will carry on more or less as before but agree to compensate developing nations for the effects of our ‘cavalier’ climate attitudes.

It’s rather like a group of individual­s calling at your house, asking very politely if they could continue to flood and set fire to various parts of your property, then informing you that it’s ok though because we will pay to restore it for you. It actually beggars belief.

Of course the truth is it’s not entirely government­s running the climate change agenda.

In large part it’s down to uncontroll­ed global business, from supermarke­ts and online retailers to oil companies and other fossil fuel-based energy suppliers.

Their only driving force is vast inflated profits, while politician­s trail in their polluting wake uttering fine words and undelivera­ble promises. This will continue, unabated and untaxed, until those in government tackle these organisati­ons head on.

Money, not principles, is the driving force of our world. It’s unpalatabl­e but true.

Government­s must make these companies pay, legislate for them to change the way they operate, force a more responsibl­e attitude and not just give in to their overwhelmi­ng ‘market place’ power.

It shouldn’t be easily manipulate­d Joe Public being constantly expected to foot the bill while these organisati­ons are laughing all the way to the bank.

Those who have profited incredibly from global exploitati­on ought to be the ones paying to save that globe.

 ?? ?? COP OUT?: President Joe Biden speaks at COP27.
COP OUT?: President Joe Biden speaks at COP27.

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United Kingdom