No matter what way you try to sell “going green” to businesses, in the end it has to come down to making economic sense. Many environmentalists seem to think we can get people to be greener because it is the right thing to do and if that isn’t your motivation, then there is something wrong.

Take for instance the recent kerfluffle over the climate change bill in the US. Some environmental groups are calling it “Let’s Make A Deal” since it has so much compromise in it. The end product isn’t even near as stringent as they would like. However, they are not looking at it at all from a business standpoint. Businesses still need to make money and there will always be some give and take in negotiations. In this case, isn’t it better to have some progress and hope for more in time?

So let’s say you used to sell shoelaces to a shoe company. They told you just exactly how they wanted the laces made including out of a very strong material and very long. Many years later, as your company continues to make shoelaces, the fact surfaces that those laces you sold to the now defunct shoe company are the perfect length and strength for committing suicide. Now, loved-ones of people who have committed suicide are upset that someone could make a shoelace so perfect for committing suicide. You just made them how they were ordered and had no clue of the harmful nature of the laces but now you are being sued.

Does this scenario make sense to you? Yet it is eerily similar to a government lawsuit being brought against some scrap recycling companies that sold mercury to the Port Refinery many years ago. The Port Refinery was closed so now let’s sue those who sold the substance even though they sold it completely legally. What’s next? Is somebody going to sue the descendants of George Washington because they missed out on cherries that could have grown had he not chopped down the legendary cherry tree?

But such is the way with our runaway government. They seem bound and determined to squeeze out any possible cent from US businesses, even if it costs them more to do so than what they collect. Do you want to know why more companies are not finding ways to recycle electronics? Nobody wants to pay the price years from now when somebody determines the process used was in some way dangerous. So now companies send the electronics overseas – which might also get you into trouble.

Applause goes to Walmart for trying to do it’s part to become more environmentally responsible. The goal to cut 20 million tons from its carbon footprint is admirable. You just have to wonder what tactics it will use to accomplish this goal. It’s common knowledge that it isn’t easy for suppliers to negotiate with Walmart. In their drive to keep costs low for its customers, it constantly requests price concessions.  Again, while admirable, one has to consider what this will mean to its supplier base. What other cuts/shortcuts will suppliers have to take in order to afford to remain a supplier as they help Walmart achieve its environmental goals? Hopefully, Walmart will see it as a duty to subsidize those suppliers in making the necessary changes instead of just dropping them if they don’t make the changes because they can’t afford to.

A lot has been said about electric and hybrid cars and airlines are trying to find ways to reduce their carbon footprints but it doesn’t seem like there has been a lot said lately about trains. Now, it appears China is set on becoming a world leader in rail transportation. If their plan works, it should reduce the need for short commuter flights in China. But the question remains, is it efficient use of money to reduce carbon emissions? How much time and effort will it take to build the proper rail lines to make a difference? What do you think?

This article certainly raised my eyebrows. I have written a couple of times about Tesla and their electric cars. Now Diamler enters the picture in a very shrewd move. In one fell swoop, Diamler may have leap-frogged all the other major car manufacturers, all while keeping it’s luxury auto image intact. This certainly seems to be a win-win for both these companies. I predicted earlier that Tesla may very well turn the US automotive world on its ear – this move could be the beginning of the tidal wave.