Robert Reich argues that firms that go green to improve their public relations or cut their costs are being smart -- not virtuous.
Al Gore's campaign against global warming, for which he just received the Nobel Peace Prize, has encouraged many corporations to "go green" and become environmentally friendly. But do these companies deserve to be praised? And can we rely on corporations to lead the way on global warming? The answer is: No and no.Gore deserves kudos, but it's absurd to praise the corporations that are going green. Consider British Petroleum, which a few years ago shortened its name to BP and has promoted itself with a $200 million ad campaign as the environmentally friendly oil company that will go "Beyond Petroleum." So far, though, it's invested a tiny fraction of its oil profits in non-fossil based fuels, and caused the worst oil spill in the history of Alaska's fragile north slope. Going green for public relations might help the bottom line, but it doesn't help the environment.
Read the rest (and comment) here. --The Editors
