Introduction
Remember, it is five minutes past twelve (12.05). No one will want to continue to heed the misinformation and disinformation being generated by leaders in the fossil fuels and plastics industries to deceive people and pacify them. Misleading information is often further legitimized and propagated by government agencies headed by past, present, and soon-to-be-again corporate executives.
That said, let us praise those corporate executives who work conscientiously to change the prevailing culture for the better and those government officials who base their policy decisions on reliable natural science rather than political expediency.
No one will want to ignore my admonitions in this blog who wants to live a healthier and happier life, while respecting the rights of other human beings to pursue health and happiness. They are based on well-established facts and are meant to be urgent calls to action in a time of escalating crises.
I and many others have been voicing our serious concerns about health and environmental policies for decades. Today, all around us, we see the price of ignoring facts and, when acknowledged, of a failure to act on them. If we do not radically change our collective thinking and priorities, what kind of future do you think is in store for you, your loved ones, and future generations?
No one will want to dismiss my words if they appreciate the true interdependence and interrelation of the many lives making up the intricate web of life. Our survival depends on protecting the health of the biosphere by valuing, not shamelessly exploiting and destroying, the lives of the animals, beneficial insects, plants, and other beings making up our natural environment.
No one will want to silence my voice if they are not engaged in destructive criminal activities to enrich themselves and increase their worldly power.
How many academics, journalists, and industry and government whistleblowers have had to pay a heavy price for revealing the truth, and how many are being professionally sanctioned or imprisoned for their commitment to it today? The more dishonest the official narrative, the more vigorously and ruthlessly it will be defended against anyone who calls it into question.
Acting In Bad Faith: The Fossil Fuel and Plastics Industries in the 21st Century?
You will have noticed the explosion of plastic use in product manufacturing and packaging over the years. Have you been offended by the excessive waste? Even when we make an effort to be environmentally conscious, reduce consumption, and recycle as individuals and communities, we can only impact the larger picture to a limited extent in this way. More is required.
If we are aware enough and care enough, we need to become public health and environmental defenders, supporting and advocating governmental and corporate policy that provides real, timely solutions to real, urgent problems.
Did you know 99% of plastics are made from chemicals sourced from fossil fuels? According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, “plastics are made from liquid petroleum gases (LPG), natural gas liquids (NGL), and natural gas. LPG are by-products of petroleum refining, and NGL are removed from natural gas before it enters transmission pipelines.”
The Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) has launched an ongoing investigative series, “Fueling Plastics”, in which they reveal the deep linkages between the fossil fuels and plastics industries. These industries are heavily invested in maximizing crude oil and natural gas consumption and proliferating plastic use. They lobby heavily to create and perpetuate government policy that leaves them free to continue harming human health and destroying the biosphere.
Why in bad faith? Industry leaders do this with full knowledge and aggressively oppose anyone or anything that dares to challenge their drive to maximize corporate profits, no matter how terrible the costs to society and the natural world.
Conclusion
With a commitment to promote human health and preserve the integrity of the natural environment, the plastics industry could change its production practices to reduce fossil fuel use and reduce the amount of single-use plastic products and packaging finding their way into the environment. Going a step further, they could embrace recreating their businesses to generate profit by truly benefitting human beings and the natural world.
There are clean, renewable energy solutions that could meet our energy requirements. Wherever it is not being suppressed, this is a rapidly growing industry and provides jobs to many people throughout the world.
Instead of fossil fuel advocates and corporate lobbyists promoting further destructive coal, crude oil and natural gas exploration and harvesting, they could become key players in building a thriving clean, renewable energy industry.
Governments could be pouring billions of dollars, pounds, or euros into subsidizing clean, renewable energy production instead of continuing to allocate substantial tax revenues to subsidize the coal, crude oil, natural gas, and nuclear industries, which are exacting such a heavy toll on the biosphere.
In “Plastics: We Know They Are Dangerous”, Dr. Mercola looks at the negative impact plastic products are having on human health in biochemical terms. In energetic terms, without a healthy biosphere we are unable to take in sufficient amounts of life-sustaining prana/qi (chi)/ki of sufficiently good quality. This bio-energetic reality has been known theoretically and experientially for thousands of years – in Indian Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Western Hermeticism, and among shaman-doctors in indigenous cultures.
Join the Fight Against Plastic Pollution
Remember, it is five minutes past twelve (12.05). Your present and future health is at stake. If you are not already doing so, won’t you hear the call to increase your engagement in these matters of vital importance to you, your loved ones, and your wider community?
May you be blessed with good health, good sense, and a strong sense of community,
Joseph Michael Contrada
Heilpraktiker (Lic. German Complementary and Alternative Medicine Provider) specializing in Nutrition, Herbalism, Western Alchemical Medicines (Spagyric, Homeopathic, Anthroposophic), Ayurveda, and Chinese Energetic Medicine
Spiritual & Energy Healer specializing in Western Esoteric Healing, Yogic Pranic Healing, Qi Gong Healing, and Reiki
Qi Gong Instructor
Reiki Master & Teacher
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(Re-)sources
Fueling Plastics: New Research Details Fossil Fuel Role in Plastics Proliferation
Greenpeace International’s Tool Kit for a Plastic-Free Future
National Geographic Video: Plastics 101
Plastics: We Know They Are Dangerous — What Can We Do to Protect Our Planet and Ourselves?
What’s Wrong with Plastic, Anyway?