May 13, 2004
Wal-Mart Pollutes
Ecopledge is considering running a campaign to get Wal-Mart to improve its environmental practices. A small news item in today's New York Times sheds some light on their current environmental thinking:
The Justice Department said on Wednesday that Wal-Mart had agreed to pay $3.1 million in fines for violating the Clean Water Act at 24 sites in nine states...
Thomas L. Sansonetti, an assistant attorney general, said Wal-Mart and its contractors failed to obtain permits before construction, failed to develop a plan to manage runoff and failed to install proper fences and screens to prevent runoff from reaching lakes, streams and other bodies of water, in some cases contaminating them.
What are your thoughts on the possibility of an Ecopledge Wal-Mart campaign? You can
e-mail us or use the comment section, below, to share your ideas.
Posted by ANDREW at
12:51 PM
May 11, 2004
Monsanto Shelves Plan for GMO Wheat
Good news! Monsanto announced yesterday that it has canceled plans to market its genetically modified wheat. As the New York Times reports, the farmers weren't buying it because they knew they wouldn't be able to sell it.
Last month, over 1,000 Ecopledge members contacted Kraft to ask them not to buy Monsanto's GMO wheat. While we can't take credit for this victory, we are happy to be part of the worldwide movement of people who are just saying no to GMO. It's nice to know that our voices are being heard.
Posted by ANDREW at
05:47 PM
May 07, 2004
Ford, GM, and the Future
The Wall Street Journal reports that "both GM and Ford this week cranked up discounts to move out backlogs of big SUVs, which have suffered slowing sales as gas prices have risen."
Meanwhile, we hear reports that even Alan Greenspan now believes we are entering an era of permanently higher crude oil prices. "This will force U.S. producers and consumers to rethink how they use energy."
Let's hope.
Posted by ANDREW at
06:35 PM
May 06, 2004
Strong Vote on Arctic by ConocoPhillips Shareholders
Green Century Funds and U.S. PIRG just got a strong first-year vote by ConocoPhillips shareholders, demanding that the company make a public pledge to stay out of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. ConocoPhillips is the second-largest oil company operating in Alaska. Following recent statements by BP, a commitment by ConocoPhillips would reduce pressure to open up the Refuge for drilling. The positive vote puts Green Century and U.S. PIRG in a good position to continue to press the issue in the coming year.
For more, read the press release from Green Century and U.S. PIRG.
Posted by ANDREW at
11:08 AM
