The Climate Change Profiteers

[Mercury 0]

Lawrence Solomon: Enron's other secret:

The climate-change industry — the scientists, lawyers, consultants, lobbyists and, most importantly, the multinationals that work behind the scenes to cash in on the riches at stake — has emerged as the world’s largest industry. Virtually every resident in the developed world feels the bite of this industry, often unknowingly, through the hidden surcharges on their food bills, their gas and electricity rates, their gasoline purchases, their automobiles, their garbage collection, their insurance, their computers purchases, their hotels, their purchases of just about every good and service, in fact, and finally, their taxes to governments at all levels.

These extractions do not happen by accident. Every penny that leaves the hands of consumers does so by design, the final step in elaborate and often brilliant orchestrations of public policy, all the more brilliant because the public, for the most part, does not know who is profiteering on climate change, or who is aiding and abetting the profiteers.

Some of the climate-change profiteers are relatively unknown corporations; others are household names with only their behind-the-scenes role in the climate-change industry unknown. Over the next few weeks, in an extended newspaper series, you will become familiar with some of the profiteers, and with their machinations. This series begins with Enron, a pioneer in the climate-change industry.

[ewv 0]

I wouldn't call it an "industry", but the corruption is quite widespread. Here is an earlier discussion on the Forum. It's good that someone is following up and investigating how this plays out in more detail and how long it has been going on. But it is being used as usual to blame capitalism and create more resentment and envy of legitimate business instead of reigning in the source in government and its promoters, leading to more controls and taxes on real industry: Blame Rearden for Orren Boyle.

[mweiss 0]

It is interesting to note that Enron had a major role in this--and now look at where that mentality has led them.

[ewv 0]

It is interesting to note that Enron had a major role in this--and now look at where that mentality has led them.

-- and who is being blamed for it.

[Mercury 0]

It is interesting to note that Enron had a major role in this--and now look at where that mentality has led them.

-- and who is being blamed for it.

I agree with you that since the government theocrats are ones holding the guns, the bulk of the blame should be on them. But, remember, the culture creates, or, at least, abets the government. It very rarely is "us" vs. "them." Those civilian enablers of the status quo should be exposed too.

[ewv 0]

It is interesting to note that Enron had a major role in this--and now look at where that mentality has led them.

-- and who is being blamed for it.

I agree with you that since the government theocrats are ones holding the guns, the bulk of the blame should be on them. But, remember, the culture creates, or, at least, abets the government. It very rarely is "us" vs. "them." Those civilian enablers of the status quo should be exposed too.

The James Taggerts and Orren Boyles are everywhere.

[RayK 0]

It is interesting to note that Enron had a major role in this--and now look at where that mentality has led them.

-- and who is being blamed for it.

I agree with you that since the government theocrats are ones holding the guns, the bulk of the blame should be on them. But, remember, the culture creates, or, at least, abets the government. It very rarely is "us" vs. "them." Those civilian enablers of the status quo should be exposed too.

The James Taggerts and Orren Boyles are everywhere.

I agree as this is what I have seen the most of within today's businessmen. "We need to get this law passed to protect the consumer from the "bad guys" within our field of business." What they really do is outlaw new competition from coming into their field.