Hypocrisy A Common Theme For Public Figures
I’ve seen a lot in the news about global warming recently. It’s impossible to watch the news or read a newspaper without seeing something about it.
According to government leaders, our planet is on a collision course with disaster.
Gradually rising temperatures will alter our climate in a devastating way. Ocean levels will rise, sinking low lying countries. Warming temperatures will turn parts of the world into drought stricken wastelands. And, other parts of the world will be flooded by record rainfall.
The cause… human activity.
Decades of burning fossil fuels the culprit. Our leaders say we need to change our actions to avert this global disaster. Limiting emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) is at the top of the list.
Now, I’m not one to say scientists supporting this view are wrong. I’m not a climate scientist. I haven’t done the tests. I haven’t reviewed the data. Maybe they’re right. Nobody knows for certain.
But here’s what really makes me mad…
Our government leaders don’t practice what they preach! They’re telling us to change our ways… Yet they do the same thing they’ve always done.
For example, New York Governor Michael Bloomberg recently said “global warming in the long term has the potential to kill everybody”.
This is the same guy who flies all over the US in a private jet.
Wait a minute… a private jet is the most inefficient and polluting means of air travel available. Private jets use huge amounts of fuel relative to the number of passengers they shuttle. CO2 emissions per passenger are drastically higher than normal commercial flights.
It’s not just in the U.S… The number of politicians flying by private jet to the recent United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen numbered in the 100s. Denmark’s airports were overrun with private jets.
If that’s not irony I don’t know what is…
Ever hear the saying, “Be the change you wish to see in the world.”
Clearly our government leaders haven’t!
If government leaders really want to bring about “change”, they should lead by example. I’m sure there were plenty of commercial flights going to Copenhagen. Yeah, I understand they have busy schedules. A commercial flight may not be as convenient.
But you know what?
People will always come up with excuses for not making a change. And, public figures are no different. To make a real and lasting impression on us “common folk”, officials should be making a huge effort to do things differently.
Planning their trips on a commercial flight would be one small step in the right direction.
So what does this have to do with trading and investing?
Well, my gripes don’t have much to do with trading and investing. That’s just me venting.
But there are many companies involved in the green revolution…
Take Ormat Technologies (ORA) for example. They’re a leader in the geothermal energy industry. Geothermal energy is the extraction of heat stored in the earth. It’s a reliable, sustainable, and environmentally friendly source of energy.
To be sure, geothermal energy is still in its infancy…
Many factors will influence the development and acceptance of this technology. But politicians and other public figures should take notice… because at least it’s a step in the right direction!
Category: Stocks
