Big, corrupt businesses harm environment

Despite California’s record drought in the past years, companies such as Nestle have been accused of breaking federal law by removing millions of gallons of water on an expired permit. Nestle has denied the accusation, however it does not take much to find the damage that they are causing. This is just one example of big business corruption that is affecting all people on an everyday basis. Big businesses and corporations have been in control of the world for decades. Most of us are aware of the sweatshops and unfair advantages of living in a developed nation, but what many are not aware of is the abuse and corruption behind companies, mainly in the U.S. They bribe our government and destroy our environment, all due to greed.

I wanted to dig deeper into the businesses that cause such harm and find lists of brands that abuse the system by manipulating workers and buyers. After multiple Google searches, I was led to a record of companies connected within one another, polluting our waters with toxic waste and stealing from millions of Americans every day. This made me realize how little I know about how complex this corruption is. On one hand, I don’t believe a high school student can do a lot with so much information, yet on the other, I believe that it is where change begins.

In the U.S. alone, companies like Nestle and many more, are not just polluting our environment and breaking regulations, but they are also producing low quality products at exorbitant prices for their fellow Americans. What is worse, these companies are around the globe in our poorest nations doing the same thing, but far worse. These big companies destroy people’s communities, taking their natural resources and selling them back to them at prices they cannot afford. What are these people left to do but use their own resources, which have of course been disgustingly polluted by these very companies. The corruption that face developing nations goes beyond what I can even explain; I am unable to comprehend why these nations are so mistreated. These are situations that make the poor poorer, and I haven’t even touched on the subject of their national debts.

The only way to stop companies from gaining so much power is to prevent them from obtaining control in government over the American people in the first place. This all falls into the hands of the people. If people do not buy the products of certain big businesses, then they cannot gain as much control. This tactic is called boycotting. The word boycott comes from the name of a real life man, who was a wealthy landowner in Ireland. His title was Captain Boycott and he was the the first to suggest this approach. It’s a simple task for Americans that can result in possibly making a brighter and more prosperous future for developing nations.

I would encourage everyone to research into companies and corporations to see for yourselves where many products come from, and how they contribute to the environment. It can be very compelling once you realize the impact you as an individual can make.