What do DuPont, National Resource Defense Council, and Lehmen Brothers have in common? Normally not too much…but now they make up 3 of the 14 member strong US Climate Action Partnership (USCAP), launched in January of this year. The Partnership was formed to address global warming and emissions where the Feds are not.
The US produces an estimated one quarter of the world’s greenhouse gases, but has failed to sign the Kyoto protocol, and has done little in the last 6 years, at the Federal level, to further regulate emissions.
The Partnership has produced a report “A Call for Action” that proposes an economically based plan to address emissions, especially carbon emissions. They have some comprehensive goals for emission reduction that include mandatory caps on emission, an aggressive approach not echoed in the White House.
The launch of this group is another encouraging step in a series of moves Big Business is making nation-wide to take climate change and global warming seriously, and propose to do something about it. Whether moves such as these are stunts to benefit some economic scheme or are legitimately concern for, and action to improve, the environment, is a question, but the results have the potential to benefit the planet.
You can find it under the following topic(s): Capitalism, Economics, Politics, Pollution, climate change.
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This is interesting. I think that we should always be skeptical of Big Business because it has a necessary commitment to the bottom line. At the same time, as you note and as I’ve heard Starre say before, these big corps have a great deal of potential to benefit the planet (should they so choose)–moreso than individuals or, sadly, our federal government. Whatever the case, it’s at least encouraging to see signs of a serious committment rather than just a new line of all natural plastic or patchouli-scented motor oil.
February 2nd, 2007 at 12:30 amSeveral Fortune 500 companies have recently teamed up with a Delaware Environmental Company to invest over $650 Million into a solar panel rental program that is targeting to “solarize” 25% of American single family homes. Rental fees will consist of a locked current rate of electricity guaranteed not to increase over the time of the contract (up to 25 years). Only a small refundable security deposit is required.
Renewable Energy Credits will help to support this project. The latest techonolgy in photovoltaic solar panels will be rolling off the assembly lines later 2007. Applications are currently being accepted for qualifying U.S. residential homes. It is prudent to enroll early if interested in affordable alternative energy. Visit: http://EnsuringEnergy.com to learn more.
February 4th, 2007 at 1:00 pmToday’s investor is much more environmentally aware than her predecessor of just a few years back. As corporations begin to grasp the fact that investors want, and even require, environmental considerations of business, they will tailor their business to do so in order to attract more investors. Often, people forget that when we speak of “big business” or the “corporation” looking out for their bottom line, we forget that it is the investors who require the bottom line consideration. As we begin to see more and more individuals investing in retirement funds, we find social responsibility has become one of the bottom line numbers. As investors, we need to continue to invest in those companies that work toward solutions to climate change, energy resources and conservation. Like a nose ring on the bull, the beast can be directed.
March 6th, 2007 at 1:19 pm