Gore praises Wal-Mart for enviro efforts

[Harper_is_Bush]

JUL. 12 8:09 P.M. ET Former Vice President Al Gore on Wednesday praised Wal-Mart for a newfound focus on environmental sustainability, saying the retailer showed there is no conflict between the environment and the economy.

"I believe that this kind of commitment is so important that the rest of the world is likely to be listening and learning," Gore told an auditorium of more than 800 Wal-Mart employees, suppliers and outside experts who are advising the company.

Chief Executive Lee Scott last October said Wal-Mart would become a leader in sustainability, with three goals: reducing waste to zero, moving toward using only renewable energy and offering more products made in a way that preserves the environment.

http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D8IQOUN80.htm?sub=apn_news_down&chan=db

Global Warming is the most important issue we face, and I'm willing to accept any ally.

Also related:

Wal-Mart Discusses Global Warming Steps

(AP) BENTONVILLE, Ark. Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is the biggest private user of electricity in the world and has huge potential to cut back on greenhouse gases in-house and among its 60,000 suppliers, company officials said ahead of a global warming information stop Wednesday by former vice president Al Gore.

Wal-Mart working groups on environmental change were meeting ahead of Gore's visit to discuss steps already taken and new efforts ahead under a green initiative launched last October by Chief Executive Lee Scott to make the often-criticized company a better environmental citizen.

http://cbs2chicago.com/business/finance_story_193151735.html

Anyone taking steps should be commended.

[benburch]

1. Exactly.

EVEN Wal-Mart needs to be commended when they act correctly.

As a Liberal I believe in redemption and forgiveness. Now, Wal-Mart has a way to go before they deserve either, but they need to be encouraged to change in just this way.

[merwin]

7. Positive praise works wonders...

but even with that, we have the duty to scream our asses off when they fuck up.

[Catch22Dem]

2. Their efforts should be praised...I don't care how much I hate them

Same with BP. Yeah, the oil company. They're making strides in conservation.

[Sherman A1]

8. Agreed

I think of Wal Mart as evil incarnate, but when they do something positive (even if it is in their best interest) they should be praised for it. Of course we need to constantly challenge them on the myriad of things they continue to need to work on to improve. This is a start, now real wages, real health insurance and the many other issues. They will not change if they don't see it to be in their best interest (why should they). A road of a thousand miles........

[goforit]

3. Redemtion? Not till Wal-Mart askes Bush to resign!!!

[Harper_is_Bush]

6. Who gives a fuck about Bush? Global Warming is #1.

If Walmart wants to raise awareness of it by giving publicity to Gores movie then F'n kudos to them.

And if they want to actually do something about it, even better.

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

4. WalMart is the biggest user of electricity in the WORLD?

How can that be? I think separating radioactive metals might take a bit more than this.

[Catch22Dem]

9. I thought that sounded a little odd too...

Perhaps they included all the electricity used by ALL their suppliers, etc...

[lindisfarne]

5. I'll believe it if it's borne out in 5 years time. The energy savings will

probably happen, because it's to Wal-Mart's benefit. But their move toward organics makes me very suspicious - while I welcome more organic farming, if Wal-Mart's move encourages 'cheaters' to move into the market to meet Wal-Mart's demands for "low low" prices, that won't be good for the organic movement. Also, there has already been some attempts by industry to water down organic regulations -- Wal-Mart without a doubt will join those attempts (if they're not already involved).

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

10. wal-mart refuses to carry al's book

even though it topped the bestseller lists.

yet they have plenty of copies of coultergiest's

[mitchum]

11. ...also commends man who finally quit beating his wife