When it comes to the environment, much of the responsibility is often placed on individuals to create a “greener” planet themselves. “Recycle,” they say. “Reuse,” they say. “Ride a bike,” they say.
While all those things are great to do, they are merely distractions in comparison to the real root of the climate crisis at hand today: neocolonialism. The term neocolonialism is “used to refer to a form of global power in which transnational corporations and global and multilateral institutions combine to perpetuate colonial forms of exploitation of developing countries,” according to Britannica.
It is time to face who the “world superpowers” have been and still are at their core: colonizers. The world’s leading nations have not only caused immense destruction for centuries by colonizing countries, but also the earth, for their own benefit. Now, time is winding down and many are already feeling the implications due to the environmental irresponsibility and greed of countless generations.
In talking about greed, a particular Bible verse is often referenced. First Timothy chapter six, verse ten says, “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil” (New International Version). ALL kinds of evil begins with the love of money. Imperialism, colonialism and racism are without a doubt included in these evils that first began with greed.
Imperialists and the European colonizers were motivated by the love of money and desire for power, which then produced racism because they valued the land and resources more than the actual people, communities and societies who inhabited it. They did not regard natives as fellow human beings, but simply objects to use and take from.
Today, centuries later, the very nations who pride themselves on having “free markets” and being “free countries” are continuing to enslave others by taking from developing countries, their communities, and creating wealth off the backs of those putting in the hard labor. These practices today are most often carried out through what many of us as Americans view in a positive light — capitalism.
Though oil companies recently have rebranded and started initiatives to invest in low-carbon technology, many are still burning fossil fuels because of government subsidies. Yet, it is not just the oil companies harming the planet. Many large corporations exploit developing countries that don’t have many labor laws by using workers to build their products and ship them to America. Due to the absence of labor laws, most of the workers have to deal with unhealthy working conditions, long hours with no breaks, no benefits and below poverty level wages. Most often, capitalism in fact capitalizes off these conditions because it saves money for corporations.
Like many individuals, institutions such as Winthrop are making efforts toward being environmentally responsible and doing their part to help take care of the planet by following sustainability policies. However, the greatest responsibility comes down to the ones who hold the most power over their own country as well as others, which is why it’s so important that they put the earth and people before their own interest in wealth.
It is the government’s responsibility to create parameters around big business, but how do we expect that to happen considering the historical evidence of greed and corruption within our government itself? This is the part where we come in — not in just the everyday points about being environmentally conscious, but in holding representatives and local officials accountable. Writing to representatives and getting involved in organizations that are influencing policy are the actual responsibilities of citizens.
It is imperative that those of us who can see the effects of colonialism and the perpetuation of enslavement through neocolonialism and capitalism on nations, communities and the environment, take action by applying pressure on legislators to put the planet and all of its inhabitants before the love of money.
Tell your local SC legislators how you feel about the climate crisis today by clicking the link below!
https://www.scstatehouse.gov/legislatorssearch.php
Graphic by Micheal Yelton
