Health & Fitness

Perhaps We Need a "Green Tax"

Would America Benefit From a Green Tax? Let Me Know What YOU Think.

Some corporations have lead by good example in the protection of the environment. Whole Foods supports sustainability and organic farming practices - not only for the protection of the consumer, but also for the environment. Many of the Whole Foods private label brands are also supportive of Fair Trade efforts of ethical trade.  Similarly, The Body Shop at one time coined the phrase “profits with principles,” and raised awareness about preserving natural resources while respecting the rights of indigenous communities around the world.

However, the majority of corporations today might benefit from taking a closer look at making social responsibility a core part of their business strategy.  After all, it makes good business sense. The global climate debate has shifted over the years, with evangelists first rooted in the view that environmentalism was a waste of time to a new wave of evangelical groups now acknowledging the current threats to the environment. However, on the corporate side, there is still stunning inertia. Too may corporations are still behind the eight-ball on this debate, trailing miserably behind the shared view by both environmental and evangelical groups that the planet may indeed be in need of some TLC. Therefore, while some corporations have become leaders on the issue of protecting the environment, others have missed major opportunities.  

Imposing a Green Tax

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With increasingly indisputable evidence to support the grievances of environmental scientists, it is becoming more and more difficult to ignore what Al Gore coined an “inconvenient truth.” I would not, however, trust a plan that placed the responsibility of preserving the planet on free-market thinking corporations. Although corporations have the direct power to make the necessary changes, they are still not yet motivated enough to do so. As such, the government may best be prepared to take responsibility for addressing climate change.  I further submit that a “green tax” to impose fees for business practices that engender harm to the environment may have the most effective and time efficient results. 


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