Wal-mart hires environmentalist

Discussion in 'Environmental Discussion' started by efusco, Sep 12, 2007.

  1. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
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    In the nonprofit world in which Werbach grew up, his conversion is not just unpopular, it's incomprehensible. Wade Rathke, who runs ACORN, a community-organizing group based in New Orleans, says he called Werbach to try to persuade him not to become a Wal-Mart contractor, but never heard back from him. "For you to believe that you and your little lonesome are changing something with a million-and-a-half employees, $350 billion of sales, well, there's a level of ego there that just is staggering," Rathke says. "It sounds like an Adam Sandler movie or something." He pauses. "I have no idea what Adam believes anymore."

    http://money.aol.com/fastco/general/canvas...910161809990001

    Argh...lost my prior post.
    Ok, this pisses me off...the environmentalists piss me off to be specific. I think they should be spinning this as a very positive victory for their efforts at getting industry to change. They have one of their very own on the inside at Wal-mart. What better way to begin the process toward real change...and isn't that what they want?
     
  2. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
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    In the nonprofit world in which Werbach grew up, his conversion is not just unpopular, it's incomprehensible. Wade Rathke, who runs ACORN, a community-organizing group based in New Orleans, says he called Werbach to try to persuade him not to become a Wal-Mart contractor, but never heard back from him. "For you to believe that you and your little lonesome are changing something with a million-and-a-half employees, $350 billion of sales, well, there's a level of ego there that just is staggering," Rathke says. "It sounds like an Adam Sandler movie or something." He pauses. "I have no idea what Adam believes anymore."

    http://money.aol.com/fastco/general/canvas...910161809990001

    Argh...lost my prior post.
    Ok, this pisses me off...the environmentalists piss me off to be specific. I think they should be spinning this as a very positive victory for their efforts at getting industry to change. They have one of their very own on the inside at Wal-mart. What better way to begin the process toward real change...and isn't that what they want?
     
  3. tripp

    tripp Which it's a 'ybrid, ain't it?

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    Indeed. W@nkers... This is precisely what needs to happen. Sustainability needs to become part of the culture. Corporations that absorb it into their corp cultures is a good start.
     
  4. tripp

    tripp Which it's a 'ybrid, ain't it?

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    Indeed. W@nkers... This is precisely what needs to happen. Sustainability needs to become part of the culture. Corporations that absorb it into their corp cultures is a good start.
     
  5. Devil's Advocate

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    The problem is that the environmentalists don't hate Wal-Mart's effect on the environement, the environmentalist HATE Wal-Mart and the concept of a free market capitolistic system!

    I know, its a generalization, but the hard-core environemtal leadrship and activists are communists at heart and they believe that they know better how to treat the environment than anyone else!
     
  6. Devil's Advocate

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    The problem is that the environmentalists don't hate Wal-Mart's effect on the environement, the environmentalist HATE Wal-Mart and the concept of a free market capitolistic system!

    I know, its a generalization, but the hard-core environemtal leadrship and activists are communists at heart and they believe that they know better how to treat the environment than anyone else!
     
  7. SSimon

    SSimon Active Member

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    Well, he certainly seems to possess the experience, the endurance and the drive for this monumental task. Now it's merely a question of WalMart's commitment and financing of his vision that remains in question.

    And even if Wal Mart does engage in a new truly green vision, what about their handling of their employees and of all the laborers in other countries that cannot maintain a reasonable standard of living due to the decreased wages their forced to accept.

    Seems to me that WalMart has to raise the bar in a couple different areas. I'm hoping that this is just the beginning. At least it can now be said that WalMart responds to demand....not continuing their management philosophies as if they are so far in the black (are they still???) that they don't have to change something that ain't broke. I never thought I'd be able to say that so they've already surprised me.

    I'm an environmentalist and I would not shun Werbach's calls. I've too many suggestions for him. :)
     
  8. SSimon

    SSimon Active Member

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    Well, he certainly seems to possess the experience, the endurance and the drive for this monumental task. Now it's merely a question of WalMart's commitment and financing of his vision that remains in question.

    And even if Wal Mart does engage in a new truly green vision, what about their handling of their employees and of all the laborers in other countries that cannot maintain a reasonable standard of living due to the decreased wages their forced to accept.

    Seems to me that WalMart has to raise the bar in a couple different areas. I'm hoping that this is just the beginning. At least it can now be said that WalMart responds to demand....not continuing their management philosophies as if they are so far in the black (are they still???) that they don't have to change something that ain't broke. I never thought I'd be able to say that so they've already surprised me.

    I'm an environmentalist and I would not shun Werbach's calls. I've too many suggestions for him. :)
     
  9. scargi01

    scargi01 Active Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(SSimon @ Sep 12 2007, 02:38 PM) [snapback]511480[/snapback]</div>
    And what, exactly, does Walmart's "handling of their employees" have to do with bringing Werbach in? Would you rather hate Walmart or influence Walmart?
     
  10. scargi01

    scargi01 Active Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(SSimon @ Sep 12 2007, 02:38 PM) [snapback]511480[/snapback]</div>
    And what, exactly, does Walmart's "handling of their employees" have to do with bringing Werbach in? Would you rather hate Walmart or influence Walmart?
     
  11. hyo silver

    hyo silver Awaaaaay

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Devil's Advocate @ 2007 09 12 12:24) [snapback]511470[/snapback]</div>
    No, some of them are accountants, who see a discrepancy between prices and what things really cost.
     
  12. hyo silver

    hyo silver Awaaaaay

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Devil's Advocate @ 2007 09 12 12:24) [snapback]511470[/snapback]</div>
    No, some of them are accountants, who see a discrepancy between prices and what things really cost.
     
  13. SSimon

    SSimon Active Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(05_SilverPri @ Sep 12 2007, 03:13 PM) [snapback]511506[/snapback]</div>
    Influence WalMart? What about the manner in which they serve to influence? If they've enough superfluous money to engage in environmental philosophies that have no proven efficacy, such as the "optional" participation of employees in a sustainability campaign, surely they can raise the bar as it relates to the concerns of humanity. Everything boils down to quality of life. Wouldn't it be nice if the world's largest company managed their business philosophy with a respect for anything that affects same?
     
  14. SSimon

    SSimon Active Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(05_SilverPri @ Sep 12 2007, 03:13 PM) [snapback]511506[/snapback]</div>
    Influence WalMart? What about the manner in which they serve to influence? If they've enough superfluous money to engage in environmental philosophies that have no proven efficacy, such as the "optional" participation of employees in a sustainability campaign, surely they can raise the bar as it relates to the concerns of humanity. Everything boils down to quality of life. Wouldn't it be nice if the world's largest company managed their business philosophy with a respect for anything that affects same?
     
  15. Fibb222

    Fibb222 New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(hyo silver @ Sep 12 2007, 01:34 PM) [snapback]511525[/snapback]</div>
    I definitely think this is far more likely the case for the majority of hard core environmentalists. They like capitalism ok but know that it needs to be regulated properly in order to serve the greater and future good and that the real cost of things should be internalized and not ignored like they have been in the past.

    Often people think that when they criticize the markets or corporations it means that they want to get rid of capitalism all together. But, overall I think most environmentalists tend to take a more aware and balanced approach to things and that the people who wish they would go away, are the ones with their heads in the sand.
     
  16. Fibb222

    Fibb222 New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(hyo silver @ Sep 12 2007, 01:34 PM) [snapback]511525[/snapback]</div>
    I definitely think this is far more likely the case for the majority of hard core environmentalists. They like capitalism ok but know that it needs to be regulated properly in order to serve the greater and future good and that the real cost of things should be internalized and not ignored like they have been in the past.

    Often people think that when they criticize the markets or corporations it means that they want to get rid of capitalism all together. But, overall I think most environmentalists tend to take a more aware and balanced approach to things and that the people who wish they would go away, are the ones with their heads in the sand.
     
  17. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Devil's Advocate @ Sep 12 2007, 12:24 PM) [snapback]511470[/snapback]</div>
    You apparently know nothing about environmentalism. No my friend. You are DEAD wrong. Go read "Natural Capitalism", "The Ecology of Commerce" (Paul Hawken) and/or "Deep Economy" or even "The Post Corporate World" and "When Corporations Rule the World" by David Korten. Most of my friends that I would consider "environmentalists" are very savy on the pros and cons of capitalism, some are economics majors, biologists or even professors or (business dept.) deans at colleges. They are not hippy poster children that so many of you like to make them out to be.

    The free market system is crippled in many ways. It also boasts some fanstastic bonuses but without control it is more dangerous than it is good. We see that now.
     
  18. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Devil's Advocate @ Sep 12 2007, 12:24 PM) [snapback]511470[/snapback]</div>
    You apparently know nothing about environmentalism. No my friend. You are DEAD wrong. Go read "Natural Capitalism", "The Ecology of Commerce" (Paul Hawken) and/or "Deep Economy" or even "The Post Corporate World" and "When Corporations Rule the World" by David Korten. Most of my friends that I would consider "environmentalists" are very savy on the pros and cons of capitalism, some are economics majors, biologists or even professors or (business dept.) deans at colleges. They are not hippy poster children that so many of you like to make them out to be.

    The free market system is crippled in many ways. It also boasts some fanstastic bonuses but without control it is more dangerous than it is good. We see that now.
     
  19. donee

    donee New Member

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    Hi All,

    Read an article in one of the design magazines about Walmart's green program. They have a plan which reduces to 18 % the energy spent on the Super store refrigeration lighting. It uses LED lights (which emit less heat than flourescent, and are more durable (no condensation on High Voltage contacts) and use less energy besides. Its a 92 % reduction in energy, if one considers the amount of heat that does not hav to be pumped out of the freezer cabinet, besides the reduced energy consumption of the lights due to instant switching, lower consumption lights.

    Pretty slick. After trials, they want to retrofit all the stores with freezer cabinets.
     
  20. donee

    donee New Member

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    Hi All,

    Read an article in one of the design magazines about Walmart's green program. They have a plan which reduces to 18 % the energy spent on the Super store refrigeration lighting. It uses LED lights (which emit less heat than flourescent, and are more durable (no condensation on High Voltage contacts) and use less energy besides. Its a 92 % reduction in energy, if one considers the amount of heat that does not hav to be pumped out of the freezer cabinet, besides the reduced energy consumption of the lights due to instant switching, lower consumption lights.

    Pretty slick. After trials, they want to retrofit all the stores with freezer cabinets.