The Devil Turns Green

In a rather bizarre twist of events, it seems as though Wal-Mart is adopting a more environmentally friendly business strategy. Or at least, that's what Fortune/CNN Money report. This summer's already seen the corporate monolith settle an environmental and noise dispute with a group of monks outside of Guelph, Ontario. And so while reading an article talking about the encouraging steps Wal-Mart is taking in reducing its environmental footprint, it seems somehow too good to be true. And yet, if it is true, that one of the most powerful corporate presences on earth is changing its habits, its networks and supply chains to become more green, that can't be a bad thing, can it? With more than 3,000 stores in the USA and another 1,000 internationally, generating $244 billion annually, the company has incredible reach. And so, as the company reconsiders its environmental impact, and while it appears to be making bold moves within its industry, we can't expect that the company will go completely granola. It still has to bring in the bucks to keep its shareholders happy, afterall. Energy efficiencies can be made, fuel consumption reduced, environmentally-friendly products can be introduced to the shelves, but at what point will the company stop? Sometimes shareholders just don't give a rip about the environment. Sometimes they'd rather more green in their wallets than on their trees. So. If Wal-Mart does follow through on its green programs, and with its wide-ranging influence challenges suppliers to do the same, we may see more and more corners of industry turn green. We cannot simply dismiss these moves because of larger disagreements with the company, with the adverse affects these box stores have on the integrity of communities, because the company itself, one that will not disappear overnight, is making moves towards a more sustainable enterprise. This doesn't mean that I'll be the first to run over to Wal-Mart to buy a package of high-efficiency light bulbs - but at least these types of products are being made more available to those people who do shop there. And maybe, combined with the efforts of environmentally conscious people everywhere, we will be able to reduce the frightening negative impact of our consumption habits upon our earth. Related Articles: NPR Environment Reports :: Even Wal-Mart Sells Organics Driving Down Quality :: Wal-Mart's Organic Push and Food Quality Sierra Club Betrayal :: Former Club President "Abandons Principles" Positive Space? :: Wal-Mart Takes on the LGBT Community