Jared Diamond, in his essay “Will Big Business Save the Earth?”, argues that even though multi-billion dollar corporations generate massive amounts of waste, they are also capable of being forerunners in support of environmentalism. Without a doubt, Diamond makes it very clear to the reader that, originally, he was of the opinion that big corporations were incapable of minimizing their impact on the environment, due to their purely financial drive to accumulate revenue for their investors. But when he became a board member of environmentalist outfits like the World Wildlife Fund and Conservation International, he was given the task to assess the environmental impact of various companies across differing economic sectors. While there were indeed some that made a huge negative impact on the environment, in his research, Diamond noticed that were a sizeable number of companies that excelled greatly in being more cautious in how they affect the environment. Of these companies, he takes note of …show more content…
How Diamond appealed to the logic of his readers was that, before he even begins to discuss about how Walmart, Coca-Cola and Chevron can be environmentally friendly, he first tries to provide his argument in ways that can be understood by both businessmen and environmentalists alike. Whereas environmentalists know fully that excessive consumption of both renewable and non-renewable resources can generate waste and thus damage to the environment, corporate executives are also aware that such waste willy only yield fewer profits. Similarly, environmental disasters such as oil spills can also be bad for businesses, because it can damage their reputation as a business and their standing with consumers and investors. By writing his argument in ways that are best
With forward movement in society, it is important to consider not just what will propel most toward success, but also what will help to sustain the environment along the way. What may have been considered appropriate decades ago, may no longer be socially acceptable due to the changes observed in both the business world and the environment (Fiske, 2010). Therefore, it is important for organizations thriving in today?s economy to consider how they may capitalize most effectively from their product or service of choice while minimizing or eliminating any damages along the way (Knoke, 2012).
Supplying eco-friendly products has been on the Walmart agenda since the early 1990s. After a failed first attempt and much criticism, the company decided to try again. In a speech made in October of 2005, CEO of Walmart, H. Lee Scott Jr., declared Walmart would devise a “business sustainable strategy” to reduce the environmental impact the company had. Walmart could not pull this off alone. If they only focused on the confines of themselves, rather than all that they were involved with, it was estimated that they’d only reduce their impact by about 10%. To reach that goal of 100%, Walmart had to involve stakeholders to make networks which achieve sustainability. These networks proved to be vital in not only Walmart’s goal in minimizing its environmental impact, but recovering their reputation, avoiding criticism, saving money, raising awareness, improving customer satisfaction, and creating incentive for other businesses to work towards sustainability.
In the beginning of the sixth chapter, the narrator meets another important person on the Farley Mowat. Her name was Kalifi Moon Ferretti-Gallon, which was the daughter of Gary Gallon, who started the Greenpeace with Watson in 1972. Also, Kalifi's best friend, Emily Hunter's dad was one of the pioneers of the Greenpeace. The third cook, Casson Trenor is introduced in the chapter, too. Other than cooking Keson believed in The oceans on the ocean total ecosystem collapse. He also stated that seven million tons of ocean life is tossed away and slaughtered. It is also explained that there is five wheels of the Farley. Which is bridge, deck, galley, and the media. In the chapter it is stated, that the cost of $250,000 keeps the society running
This entails that business men who work for large corporations purposefully choose to turn a blind eye to the damage that their business does to the environment. They do this because of the benefits they receive from what the business produces with resources that is hurtful to the environment. It is foolish to choose an option that puts our homes and race in further danger. In class, we discussed the Kyoto Protocol which a little less than two hundred countries are a part of. The goal of this international treaty is to fight global
Whenever we fight for clean drinking water, or clean air, or a safe workplace, we are likely to find a corporation on the other side of the issue. The goal of a corporation is, first, to survive, and, second, to return a profit to its shareholders, not to mention for money and if the air has to be fouled to accomplish these goals, then the air will be fouled. Meaning, the corporations will do anything to keep these goals even if it means that they have to cause pollution or some issues. Pollution is one of the problems by the corporations that affect us. The Business Council for Sustainable Development thinks of this as ?gToday, for instance, the earth's atmosphere is providing the valuable service of acting as a dump for pollutants; those enjoying this service rarely pay a reasonable price for it,". This is an example of corporations ?gexternalizing?h their costs. By using the air as a free dump, corporations are able to get away with paying the costs for waste disposal to the people while they prof...
The “planet” aspect of a typical company is supposed to show how the company is benefitting the planet, ecologically, rather than destroying the Earth with pollution and waste. Better World Book’s term for the planet aspect is “loving your mother”, which applies to loving planet Earth. There is a book by Paul Hawken called, The Ecology of Commerce. In this book, Paul argues that, “a true economy mimics ecology in its circular no-waste systems and healthy fecundity of niches” (Better World Books). The company’s website discusses how they are trying to make the delivery of their books more sustainable. The company is going through a program where they know their carbon footprint and are trying to balance out the amount of carbon emissions that are generated through the entirety of the company’s production, including shipping and handling. They have done t...
As environmental concerns become more of an issue for consumers, they will be more aware of the impact that a company has on themselves and the environment and therefore be more conscious of who they support with their dollar.
With rising sea levels, CO2 emissions, and global temperatures, climate scientists and researchers alike are left to wonder how the global climate was allowed to progress to its present state, as well as how to stop this progression in the future. The main topic of debate in this paper will be the relationship between the free market and the environment, and if such a relationship even exists in the first place. In assessing the works and positions of both Naomi Klein and Ronald Bailey, I find Klein’s view of the negative relationship between capitalism and environmentalism to be more convincing, overall.
Capitalism is an economic system whereby the industries and the means of production are operated for profit and entirely owned by the private sector. Environmentalism is a broad ideology and a social movement, which express the need for environmental protection. Environmentalist groups also desire the improvement of environmental health. Capitalism often induces environmentalism because the capitalists undertake vast economic activities, which lead to environmental disasters, destruction of habitats and the extinction of many species. The environmental issues that capitalism induces include: Climate change, oil spills, deforestation and dredging. These environmental problems result in the creation of environmental activist groups who seek
In recent years, business or green business was no longer an option to become an obligation. Companies started to change their mindset and values to develop new environmental proposals, for example launching second ecological lines.
What is the socially optimum level of production keeping in mind the environment? How should it be achieved? It is at this point that the great economic minds of out time begin to take up arms. Michael Porter, a Professor of Business at the Harvard Business School claims that environmental regulation of businesses will actually give the businesses a competitive advantage over their counterparts in nations with less stringent regulation because it forces them to innovate. Porter claims that by changing their production processes, the businesses will actually lower their production costs (Porter, 97).
Since the Industrial Revolution of the late 1700’s and early 1800‘s organizations have become increasingly prosperous. With this rapid growth, however, has come irresponsibility in the management of business resources. This irresponsibility increases the costs to the company and is also taxing on the environment, increasing: ozone depletion, deforestation, and global warming (Shrivastava, 1995, p. 936). Sustainability in the business sector goes beyond environmental initiatives and includes the company’s financial and managerial performance, and employee quality of life. The movement of sustainable human resource management provides a balance between economic development, environmental stewardship, and societal equity—often
Humans have been destroying the planet since we were able to stand on two legs. As a society, we need to work to reverse these terrible effects that our existence has on the planet. Sustainability is one way to begin reversing these effects, while still living our daily lives. In 2006, Al Gore presented his documentary, “ An Inconvenient Truth”, as a way to show the world the evidence behind global warming, climate change and the destruction of our planet. This documentary shocked the world. It was clear that changes needed to be made, but the destruction was more intense than previously thought. SInce this revelation in 2006, companies have tried to cut down on their greenhouse emissions, as well as offered sustainable products to their customers. Through a debate of morals and
While the concept of an individual having responsibility is commonly recognized, modern views have lead to the emerging issue of corporate responsibility. Business Directory.com defines corporate social responsibility as, “A company’s sense of responsibility towards the community and environment (both ecological and social) in which it operates. Companies express this citizenship (1) through their waste and pollution reduction processes, (2) by contributing educational and social programs, and (3) by earning adequate returns on the employed resources.” But such a concept has been much disputed since at least the 1970’s.
One small planet is all mankind has to sustain the whole of humanity. With over a million chances to ruin it everyday and only one Earth, a simple mistake could potentially ruin everything. Since Earth is a closed system, there are no second chances for the human race to fix the mistakes already made. Every choice the humanity makes impacts not only the population of humans living now, but also future generations. As Johan Rockstrom says in his Ted Talk “the planetary risks we are facing are so large that business as usual is no longer an option” (Rockstrom). The rate humanity is using up the resources available is not maintainable in any way. Sustainability is a problem that in Rockstrom’s opinion is the “most challenging and exciting decade of humankind” (Rockstrom). In order to save the Earth and the sum of the lives it holds, all of mankind must come together to identify how to fix the mistakes made and find solutions to prevent new mistakes from coming into fruition. In order to create a sustainable way to live, this current generation needs to adapt to be more efficient with land, nonrenewable resources and energy.