Corporate power

1 June 2005

Devastated: Malaysian rainforest cleared for agriculture

Each time we visit the supermarket, pay our taxes or fill up our car we fuel the growth of big companies.

Behind the public face of corporations:

• Democracy is eroded
  Companies often have more power than governments. They threaten to move their business to get what they want.

• Environments are destroyed
  Rainforests are cleared to grow products on our supermarket shelves. Demand for palm oil is decimating forests in Borneo.

• Human rights are abused
  People have no say on changes ruining their lives. Communities are thrown off their land or forced to live next to leaking oil pipes.

By law, public companies have to maximise profit and keep investors happy. This means economic growth comes before people and the planet.

You shouldn't have to worry about all this when you do your weekly shop. Unfortunately some companies try to claim they are greener than they really are.

Corporate cover-up >