BP/Gulf #1

Back at this blog and figuring there will be far more to cover with regard to the BP/Gulf oil adventure, but I'm starting with something that Spiritually Responsible Politics often comes down to: intentions. And it doesn't get more simple than this: a phrase from BP's own web site, well over a month into what, apparently, is now "the greatest environmental disaster in history," the lead statement under their "Environmental Management" section which, if they haven't amended it yet, can be found here:"

"BP strives to minimize the environmental impact of its activities by applying management systems and standards and using innovative technology in its operations."

Intentions matter. Intentions matter in the nitty gritty of daily life because they help us with the choices and decisions we make on a moment-by-moment, hour-by-hour, day-to-day basis. Intentions matter on a spiritual level, because it is with our intentions that we give shape to the never-ending flow of Source energy that come to and through us every moment that we are receiving breath. It's a statement to The Universe about who we are and what we are wanting and it's a statement within a greater dialogue which is ongoing and also never-ending.

This statement says so much. It says that it fully expects "environmental impact" from its activities. It says it will try, I'm sorry, strive to reduce such "environmental impact." And not only does it say it has "management systems" and "standards" and that it uses "innovative technology in its operations," but it goes on to describe what those things are and, having read them, they are no more clear. But we need know nothing more than that BP fully expects "environmental impact" - it's built right into its intention and I don't know any way to avoid such disaster and devastation in the future without an intention to avoid it.

Impossible you say? Corporations will always game the system, blah, blah, blah? Then take a gander at this, from Interface, a pioneer in the greening of our economy:

"We will honor the places where we do business by endeavoring to become the first name in industrial ecology, a corporation that cherishes nature and restores the environment. Interface will lead by example and validate by results, including profits, leaving the world a better place than when we began, and we will be restorative through the power of our influence in the world."

How would you like to work there? Now this post seems like it might fit more with Spiritually Responsible Business but the reason we are we we are in the Gulf right now is because our own government does not yet have an intention that is in alignment with the notion that we belong to the planet, not the planet to us the way Interface does.

But it could.