Formal Letter Revised (FINAL DRAFT)

Chris Dunfield

Capitola, Ca, 95010

(510)332-8313

ChrisDunfield@gmail.com

12 May 2013

Dear Millennial Generation and youth society,

Today, the division of wealth and poverty in the global society has only been growing. As citizens of this world, we all have a responsibility to uphold the health of the environment and each other. The destruction of the environment is possibly the biggest problem we face today, one that we can all relate to. Furthermore, the unethical economic policies put in place by corporations hold undeveloped nations in an abyssal hole, unable to move upwards. Corporations-- conglomerate, private, multinational companies-- create a system of environmental degradation coupled with economic dependence and the oppression of these undeveloped nations that now solely rely on exports. This being of such vast importance, it is necessary we understand the ways that these corporations are affecting everyone. This letter will address that effect of corporate culture on the global society.

Corporate control of society has many adverse effects. One such effect is the conglomeration of media companies, which has created a way to broadcast a thought up and created culture to millions of people every day. People are unknowingly allowing horrible things to happen everyday and are trapped in a global market place that is almost inescapable. Town halls are now malls. Trapped in omnipotent “free-market”, we are losing our democracy. You all must become aware of these actions being taken by corporations because they affect your futures, as well as those of your children.

Reliance of exporting goods in undeveloped nations, a system of dependence set up by corporations, has caused austerity programs in both the United States and elsewhere. Austerity means cutting of social services and usually manifests in cutting of funding for things like education-- one of if not the most important thing needed for us to make change in society. This system of dependence only increases the gap between the poor and the rich, the power of corporations, the rate of waste and pollution to the environment. The business perspective views things in terms of how little harm is possible; the more healthy perspective is how much harm is probable.

The effect on the environment from the global monopolization of industry that these corporations exert is terrible. Multinational corporations have the power to override international laws on trade and environmental waste, thereby either directly or indirectly causing widespread destruction. The amazon rainforest, for example, is currently being deforested at least an acre per second. The result of this is widespread soil erosion, water and air pollution, loss of biodiversity, the release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere and increase threat of global warming, and finally the spread of malaria epidemics-- yet this is all done in the name of profit—for whom I might ask? Not the environment, and certainly not the natives..

In India, the degradation of the environment caused by the corporate companies can be exemplified by the Coca-Cola company. There, the Coca Cola company took water at such rates that it was affecting the local environment and peoples, “In March 2004, local official in Kerala shut down a $ 16 million Coke bottling plant blamed for drastic decline in both equanimity and quality of water available to local farmers and villagers.” Clearly, without our awareness we are being taken advantage of and marketed a harmless and joy-filled product, like Coca-Cola, when in reality it has only been for the worse. Many such examples can be listed, but they generally point to the same conclusion: that we cannot treat corporation like people, that these corporations are practicing unjust methods of increasing the profit margins, and that we as a community must do something to stop it.

It is important that we all make these steps to change our consumption habits and voice out to limit the power of these corporations, as well as care and help maintain the health of the environment! To help empower change, we can buy local, sustainable, and environmentally products-- be smart about our energy consumption-- and exercise our rights as human beings in saying no, for these are our futures and together we have the power to change how they come out. If ignored, the destruction of the environment and of societies is almost guaranteed. Without movement to create real change, people will be stuck in systems of tyrannical oppression.. We must be adopt a planetary environmental perspective instead of a global business perspective-- without such, we are doomed to destruction of our own world and regression of culture and society.

Works Cited

CARRAWAY, LESLIE N. American Midland Naturalist. Jul2011, Vol. 166 Issue 1, p1-12. 12p.

Hawes, Colin. China Journal. Jan2008, Issue 59, p33-61. 29p. 1 Chart

Moore, Daniel. "Amazon Rainforest Deforestation..." AMAZON RAINFOREST DEFORESTATION. Unique South America Travel Experience, n.d. Web. 26 May 2013. http://www.unique- southamerica-travel-experience.com/amazon-rainforest-deforestation.html.

Stecklow, Steve. "How a Global Web of Activists Gives Coke Problems in India." IndiaResource.Org. Wall Street Journal, 07 June 2005. Web. 26 May 2013. <http://www.indiaresource.org/news/2005/1062.html>.