For centuries, industrialization has come into conflict with natural environments. Likewise, changing a physical setting for human progress has often been done at the expense of human health. Corporations have reputations for being greedy and filling their own pockets at the expense of the environment and the planet, but they now have an opportunity to change.
In an age where we are advancing faster than ever, how can we move forward in society and still protect our precious resources? Here are three ways for corporations can play a key role.
- Go green
Many of America’s most powerful companies are already starting to take active steps for a cleaner planet. McDonald’s is going green by adjusting its menu to improve energy consumption, installing appliances that reduce waste by 25 percent, having green parking lots, and more. Google has cut its energy use, built the world’s most efficient data centers with windmills and solar panels, and advocated for more green energy projects. Starbucks has begun recycling coffee grounds, partnering with environmental organizations, and actively promoting green energy.
- Take social responsibility
When it comes to making all communities safe and green, environmentalism is inherently a social issue. In 1982, the North Carolina state government chose Warren County, which is predominantly African-American, as the place to dump 6,000 truckloads of soil laced with toxic chemicals. Meanwhile, workers in the San Joaquin Valley in California were victim to pesticides. Protests against these and many more situations most often resulted in the corporations winning out over civilians, proving that the poor and minority communities are those who suffer the most at the hands of industrialization.
Several companies today are trying to turn around this unfortunate trend. LEGO has reduced their carbon footprint so much that they aim to be using 100 percent renewable energy by 2030. The Levi Strauss company has reduced the amount of water needed to produce each pair of jeans. Each company making strides toward sustainability is ultimately being socially responsible as well.
- Get behind good politics
In 1994, President Bill Clinton signed an executive order requiring federal government agencies to incorporate environmental justice into all their work. More recently, the NAACP and Clean Air Task Force worked together to create the “Fumes Across the Fenceline” report that showed the high number of African-Americans living near toxic gas and oil facilities. Companies like Patagonia and Melville House have actively spoken against the current administration’s denial of global warming. Big corporations can get behind these kinds of initiatives by donating to nonprofits and speaking out in times of political change, letting their customers know what their values are and standing behind them.
With everything America’s most powerful corporations can do to help the environment, directing their resources to green energy in every way possible is the most impactful. When corporations participate in initiatives that better our world, they help drastically improve social and environmental challenges for future generations.