Chevy Tahoe Competition

The all new 2007 Chevy Tahoe is more capable, more responsible, and more refined. Now, you’re the director and it’s your job to communicate this message by creating the best Tahoe online commercial for your chance to win. Chevy Apprentice
Sounds like a pretty good marketing gimmick for Chevrolet, and it probably would have been a few years ago. But people are starting to see big gas guzzlers for what they are: a blight on the environment.
So, some creative, forward thinking people have been busy creating their own advertisements for the new Chevy Tahoe. Most of which will never win the competition, and will soon be deleted by Chevrolet. All because they're showing the vehicle in a more realistic way.. (I found these over at Total Tactics)

• Chevy Tahoe Ad by Total Tactics
• Chevy Tahoe Ad by Grist
• Chevy Tahoe Ad by Network Centric Advocacy
• Chevy Tahoe Ad by Eco Geek

>> Environmental News

Bush Increases Wetland Definition

The Bush administration has increased the total area of wetlands in the United States from 1998 to 2004 by 191,800 acres. Sounds impressive until you realize that this number includes manmade ponds, golf courses, and water hazards. I'm surprised they didn't include backyard swimming pools when measuring the total area of wetlands.
There was actually 523,500 acres of real wetlands, which includes swamps and tidal marshes that were lost during that time. But with a little creativity, the Bush administration has come up with a 715,300 acre gain of wetlands.
It's comforting to know that these people have our future in their hands!
Fewer Marshes + More Man-made Ponds = Increased Wetlands
"Almost two years ago, President Bush, under attack by environmental groups for loosening controls on development in wetlands, announced that one of his goals was to increase net wetland acreage.
For decades in the early and mid-20th century, draining and filling of wetlands by developers was widely accepted. But, as scientists and public officials recognized the importance of wetlands as nurseries for waterfowl, filters of pollution and barriers against storms, Congress passed protective laws." NY Times
>> Political News, Environmental News, George W Bush News

Tony Blair's Greenhouse Gas Emissions Failure

Tony Blair's policies often lean toward environmentalism, and he is happy to tell other governments to improve their environmental action, but his Labor Party in the UK will likely fail to reach their own environmental goals. Blair hoped to cut the 1990 levels of greenhouse gas emissions by 20% before 2010, but research has shown it will be more like 15%.
Government accused of pitiful failure to meet target for greenhouse gas emissions
"Scientists, environmental campaigners and opposition politicians yesterday issued a scathing response to the government's admission that it will fail to meet a key target to cut greenhouse gas pollution. They called the results of an 18-month review of climate change policies "pitiful" and accused ministers of lacking the political will to tackle global warming.
Margaret Beckett, the environment secretary, confirmed that measures to reduce emissions are now projected to cut UK carbon dioxide pollution by 15%-18% below 1990 levels by 2010. The government had pledged to reduce it by 20%." Guardian
>> Tony Blair News, Environmental News

Prime Minister Tony Blair on Climate Change

British Prime Minister Tony Blair has told the Australian government to take measurable action against the environmental problems we all face now. The Prime Minister addressed the Australian parliament during a visit to Australia at the closing of the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne. Blair urged immediate action to stop the effects of global warming.
Australia should listen to Blair on climate change
"Mr Blair told the House of Representatives today: "There will be no resolution without a clear, disciplined framework for action, with measurable outcomes. And there will be no forgiving of any of us if we do not pay attention to the degrading and polluting of our planet."
And.. as an example of what the British are doing about the problem..
"Tony Blair has set a target to cut greenhouse pollution by 60 per cent by 2050; we should also be looking to make deep cuts. It's the right thing to do - ethically, environmentally and economically." Australian Conservation Foundation
>> Political News, Climate Change News

Wal Mart's Environmental Impact

There's an interesting article over at SustainableBusiness.com that talks about how the giant retailer Wal-Mart is developing an environmental conscience. Wal Mart CEO Lee Scott has described the current environmental problems we have as a slow motion hurricane Katrina.
It's a giant company that uses an estimated 0.2% of the total United States CO2 emissions.
Some of the company's changes include..

• Wal-Mart has discovered a consumer interest in organic cotton garments, for example, so it has begun carrying a few organic items.
• All imported shrimp sold in Wal-Mart stores will be independently certified by Aquaculture Certification Council, Inc., for adherence to its Best Aquaculture Practices standard.
• Wal-Mart has set an aggressive goal of reducing its solid waste generation 25% by the end of 2008.
• In October, 2005, the company announced a goal of improving efficiency of its fleet (of trucks and vehicles) 25% by the end of 2008 and doubling its efficiency within 10 years, saving $310 million each year in fuel costs by 2015.
• Wal-Mart has been exploring options for improving the environmental performance of its buildings.
• Pledged $35 million over ten years to conserve at least one acre of wildlife habitat for each acre it currently occupies in the U.S. as well as the land it anticipates developing over the next 10 years.

Read more about the article over at Sustainable Business.
>> Wal Mart News, Environmental News

Global Warming Melting Ice Fast

Scientists are now saying that the ice caps are melting at a much faster rate than had previously been predicted. I doubt that learning of a few melting ice bergs will make very much change at all in the world of big business and government. Global warming won't start making us change our ways until some really BIG freaky natural disasters start happening. Like small countries disappearing or really disruptive weather (no sun for a year or no rain for a couple years).
Melting ice sheets could hasten sea rise: study
Studies published in the journal Science, showed that between the last two ice ages - about 130,000 years ago - sea levels increased by as much as four to six meters above current levels as polar ice sheets melted.
Temperatures then were one-degree Celsius higher than now.
But researchers say that by the end of this century, the world could be three to four degrees warmer.
Dr Jonathan Overpeck from the University of Arizona was one of the scientists who carried out the research.
"We're going to cross a threshold sometime later in this century, beyond which major retreat of ice sheets and corresponding large increases in sea level are inevitable and irreversible," Dr Overpeck said.
"We know when the sea level was that high in the past, and we know how much warming is necessary to get that amount of sea level rise from both Greenland and Antarctica." ABC News
>> Environmental News, Climate Change News

Wal-Mart Director of Ethics

A post over at the business ethics blog has pointed out that Wal-Mart has decided to look for a global director of ethics.
Having your job ad posted in the Fortune magazine is probably good publicity for the position to be filled..
"Wanted: Corporate executive to serve as a point person on business ethics at the world's largest retailer. Law degree a plus, spotless reputation a must. Some travel required. Candidate must also not mind living in northwest Arkansas."
The article does go on though..
"That Wal-Mart needs to beef up its ethics organization is not too surprising. The Bentonville, Ark. behemoth has been bloodied on several fronts lately.. an $11 billion class-action discrimination lawsuit, employee pay and health benefits, and former vice chairman Tom Coughlin's alleged expense account padding have all provided ample fodder for the retailer's growing chorus of critics." Fortune
I like to think that ordinary people can change the way big companies do business. Sure, the position may just be filled with a puppet, but at least they're thinking about business ethics. It may take a few more years before any real changes are made, but they will change.
>> Wal-Mart News, Business Ethics News

Global Warming is Good

Marketing guru Seth Godin recently published a post about why the term "Global Warming" is not the right term to use if we want people to take action against it. Godin talks about how people need the right images and words placed in front of them to get them off their butt and make them do something about the worst global problem to face humanity.
The problem with "global warming"
1. the name.
Global is good. Warm is good. Even greenhouses are good places.
How can "global warming" be bad?
I'm not being facetious. If the problem were called "Atmosphere cancer" or "Pollution death" the entire conversation would be framed in a different way.
2. the pace and the images.
One degree every few years doesn't make good TV. Because activists have been unable to tell their story with vivid images about immediate actions, it's just human nature to avoid the issue. Why give up something we enjoy now to make an infinitesimal change in something that is going to happen far in the future?
Lady Bird Johnson understood this when she invested her efforts into a campaign against litter and pollution. The problem was easy to see. The messaging was emotional and immediate. You could see how your contribution (or efforts) mattered. Read full Post
>> Climate Change News, Environmental News

Oil Company wants Ethanol Subsidies Removed

Businesses like to compete on level playing fields, but when you are a major oil company like Exxon Mobil and your company has been reporting ridiculously profitable financial results, it is probably not a good idea to be suggesting the ethanol subsidies should be removed.
Exxon Mobil CEO calls for an end to ethanol subsidies
"We've never been a supporter of subsidies under any conditions because they distort market signals," chairman and Chief Executive Rex Tillerson said in a New York interview Tuesday. "What the government has done is stick a filter between the signals of the market and consumers. The fact that the subsidies exist shows it's not a viable alternative."
and..
"In the face of pornographic profits being made by oil companies and the reality of higher gas prices this year, it is outrageous for an executive for big oil to actually suggest getting rid of the tax credit for ethanol," said Brian Jennings, executive vice president of the American Coalition for Ethanol in Sioux Falls, S.D. Detroit Free Press
>> Oil News, Ethanol Investing

Google Settles Click Fraud Case

The internet search engine Google has settled a "Click-Fraud" lawsuit for $90 million USD. The group of companies claimed that the text ads that they paid for were not legitimate.
Google Settles `Click-Fraud' Lawsuit for $90 Million
"Click-fraud occurs when companies.. not potential customers.. click on rivals' ads on Google to drive up their marketing costs. Click-fraud also occurs when Web site owners who display other companies' ads use automated software to click on the ads to line their own pockets."
The Bloomberg article also stated that..
"Under the settlement, which requires a judge's approval, advertisers that believe they have been the victim of click fraud at any point in the past will be able to apply for advertising credits, Mountain View, California-based Google said today in statement on its Web site." Bloomberg
>> Google News, Businesses in Court News

Enron's Andrew Fastow in Court

The Enron drama is unfolding daily on every news channel recently, with the media making it sound more interesting than it probably is. The star prosecution witness, Andrew Fastow is the main man at the moment.
Fastow was the chief financial officer for Enron that profitted by millions while the company fell down around him. And while he is on his way to serve time in prison, his case will try to take his former bosses with him (Jeffrey Skilling and Kenneth Lay).
I was very greedy, says Enron trial's star witness
"After a repeated attack on Mr Fastow's decision to involve his wife and young sons in his deception, Mr Petrocelli demanded "You must be consumed with insatiable greed."
and..
"The defence team is hoping to single Mr Fastow out as the architect and chief mover of any criminal activity at Enron who is trying to ensnare other former executives in the web of side deals and complex off-balance sheet vehicles that he built in return for a lighter sentence." Guardian
The drama continues..
>> Business Scandals

Green Office Furniture

Companies are starting to think green while shopping to fit the office out. Office furniture manufacturers are quickly changing their habits to take advantage of the many businesses that now take the environment into consideration when choosing what to buy.
Eco-friendly furniture meets the cubicle culture
"Buying eco-friendly desks, chairs, cabinets, space dividers, and other furniture is getting easier. With government agencies, universities, and corporations specifying greener products, furniture makers have been fairly quick to put environmental options on the table. Both large and smaller companies offer furniture made from sustainably harvested woods and recycled, bio-based, or nontoxic materials, and made with glues, paints, foams, and other ingredients that don't give off noxious odors." Gristmill
>> Environment News

Ethanol Investing and Farmer Ownership

With the ethanol industry attracting so much attention lately, it is inevitable that investors would move in to take advantage of the situation. The Des Moines Register published an article that shows that farmers are being bought out by investors, and new ethanol plants are mostly being built by investors.
It is a natural path for an industry growing so quickly to have Wall Street money piling into it. Although some say it could be a negative with profits going to investors rather than farmers, one has to consider the new money flowing into rural communities as a positive. The creation of new jobs in rural areas is also nothing to get too upset about.
Ethanol ownership shifting from farmers
"Of 42 ethanol plants under construction nationwide, six are farmer-owned, according to the Renewable Fuels Association trade group. That's a stark contrast to the ethanol boom of the 1990s, when farmer-owned co-ops built more than half of all plants, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City.
About half of the corn ethanol plants in operation or under construction in Iowa are owned by farmers. But all of the new plants will include money from nonfarm investors." Des Moines Register
>> Ethanol Investing