The current enemies of the industrialized countries mostly recruit their soldiers from among the disenfranchised populations of largely non-industrialized nations. Some of their propaganda charges that Western, industrialized countries use disproportionate amounts of natural resources and the labor of the needy to produce their wealth which is in turn used to produce weapons to proliferate their policies, goods, services and politics. In the process, the biosphere, which all humans must share is being exploited and poisoned in disproportionate amounts. These criteria are spun to hang the title of “The Great Satan” on the western industrialized nations by their enemies.

   Scientists have also cited industry’s harmful effects on the biosphere and their unbalanced approach to harvesting the natural resource base. The Union of Concerned Scientists has repeatedly cited concerns on the ecological effects of industry.

   Perhaps the way to best combat enemies that would cite these issues a justification for war is for the industrialized countries to heed the empirical data and lead the way by advancing existing renewable energy technologies and investing in the R & D of sustainable energy technologies. In this way we may no longer harm ourselves exponentially (by both destroying the resource base that gives us wealth while simultaneously fueling terrorism).

    Consumers! Find and invest in the companies progressing in these directions… In the April 03 issue of Wired magazine; writers Peter Schwartz & Doug Randall proposed a plan for an Apollo type mission to transform the U.S. to a hydrogen-based economy by 20013. It seems that what is needed is the leadership to implement such a plan and the investment to bring it to fruition.

History shows that populations tend to respect leaders who rule through inspiration and rebel against those who enforce their will through intimidation. It is arguable that the US and other industrialized nations currently have the mental and economic capital to support our way of life in a way that is less demanding on the p health of the biosphere. The neeed is for leadership to implement new design, and infrastructure. Consumers need to support the businesses that seek to advance and utilize sustainable technologies. Currently, it appears the leadership may have to come from consumers.

   The last true power of democracy may be divested in consumers who can force these changes within the free market economy.

As the industrialized nations continue to output disproportionate amounts of carbon dioxide/carbon monoxide emissions, chemical bi-products and radioactive waste, the other fact to confront is that in the end the oil, gas and uranium are being depleted and will eventually be no more. Somr geologists think the end of oil is sooner than we've hoped. Do a web search on the "peak oil theory if you want to scare yourself some more. Is there any light at the end of the many tunnels we face in our age? Perhaps..

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    There are several major corporations, many of which have been among the biggest polluters on the planet, who realize the energy and environmental challenges of this era and are adapting policies and procedures to make the change to renewable and sustainable energy systems and thereby protect their future success.

    The "Investment" area of Conscious Consumers will seek to find out about these companies, investigate their practices, and provide information resources for our readers to make ethical as well as financially promising decisions on where to place their financial assets. We will also provide information on socially responsible mutual fund and investment firms and links to on-line trading sites where investors can research and invest in companies on their own. We hope our readers will feed information back to us to let us know about companies moving in these directions or correct us if they find any of the information we provide to be in error or in need of update.

    In light of the recent problems in the U.S. election system and the antiquated Electoral College, perhaps the last aspect of life in which "We the people" can truly have influence is in what we do with our money.

    Ask yourself a few questions. Is your money supporting a company that creates pollution? Is your money being used by a company that adds to the depletion of natural resources without replenishing or accounting for them in some way? Is your money in a company that produces disproportionate amounts of waste in the creation of their product? (If your money is in any company that makes automobiles with internal combustion engines and steel bodies, you should answer yes to all of these questions). Are you putting your money in companies that produce energy from renewable resources or have a progressive energy or natural resource accounting policy? Can you sleep comfortably after answering these questions honestly (sans pharmaceuticals)?

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