Letters | Why ignoring climate change will only hurt big business’ bottom line
- Readers discuss big business’ indifference to climate change, governance during the pandemic and the upcoming DSE exam
Assuming the CEOs are not foolish enough to believe their descendants will somehow always evade the repercussions related to their industry’s environmentally reckless decisions, I wonder whether seeking unlimited profits is somehow irresistible to them, including the willingness to allow an already-squeezed consumer base to continue to be so or be squeezed even further. It brings to mind the allegorical frog being stung by the instinct-abiding scorpion while ferrying it across the river, leaving both to drown.
As far as economics and the ethics around big business are concerned, I can see CEOs shrugging their shoulders and defensively saying their job is to protect their shareholders’ interests. The shareholders, meanwhile, shrug their shoulders while defensively saying that they just collect the dividends and that the CEOs are the ones to make the moral or ethical decisions.
There must be a point at which the status quo will end up hurting big business’ own bottom-line interests.
Frank Sterle Jnr, British Columbia, Canada
02:07
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Basically, Lo seems to be asking readers: “If you were a chicken, would you rather be a battery hen or run free-range?” Personally, I know whose eggs taste better.
However, free-range hens are always in danger from hawks. I prefer “middle of the road” Danish or Singaporean farms as they are safe, pragmatic and well-managed.
Christian Rogers, Wan Chai
DSE candidates can beat adversity
Adversity is inevitable at some points in life. What matters most is how we learn to accept and embrace it instead of feeling bitter and magnifying it.
It is certainly the most uncertain and challenging year for this year’s Diploma of Secondary Education candidates. But I am sure they can strive and forge ahead regardless of the burden and never back down. All the time, energy and effort they have devoted in the last three years will not be wasted.
No successful person in the world will go into a race only half-heartedly. Instead, they will give it their all. It is understandable that there are always temptations to slow down or give up. One could easily lose control of their emotions because of ups and downs or succumb to desires for leisure and entertainment. But one should learn to maintain self-discipline and self-control even at turbulent times.
That said, while we regularly see many outstanding students on the news, let us not forget that each of us is unique in some way. There is no need to compare and lament that you are not as talented as some others.
We all possess some special potential that requires us to explore and unleash throughout the process of growing up and find our niches in life eventually. I wish all the 2022 DSE candidates the best of luck in the exams.
Adrian Lam, Tai Koo
