Have you heard about the Carbon footprint? It refers to the measurement of total emissions into the environment from energy usage throughout the process of manufacturing any good and transporting it to the end user. Everything has a hidden cost. I learned that early in my career. If I drew an extra line in a plan, it translated to a built cost of a $1000 or a multiple thereof. If I made any change during construction it cost $500 or a mutiple thereof. If I import something from China- and join the rest of the human race in doing so- I may be paying little, but the world is paying in multiples too large for the environment to take.
I never have trusted Bill Clinton. From the minute I tuned into his first debate during the primaries of the 1992 elections, just out of curiosity to see what the buzz was about, I knew I couldn't trust him. It didn't help his credibility with me that I happened to meet his lover of 33 years and heard the excruciating details of their long-lasting affair...I saw him in person, recently, at Rice University in Houston, and I experienced a change in attitude about him. When this ubercharismatic man sets his passion, inner compass and power to save the environment, to sit Wal-Mart at the table and coerce it to become an agent - a leader- in global sustainability, and to open the eyes and passions of our young people so that they may take the torch to save our planet, I experience a change of heart.
Some say that Wal-Mart is only thinking of its image in starting the pilot program with the Carbon Disclosure Project , outlined in the recent article of Business Week . I say that Clinton has hit the nail in the head, and that Clinton and Wal-Mart putting their heads together is a powerfully explosive combination. Leaders must act like leaders. They just can't be followers. What will Wal-Mart do with the results of their pilot studies on Carbon footprint of their products? Your guess is as good as mine. The worst case scenario would be that they simply share the information with consumers, and that would put us in the driver's seat: we get to make our choices! The best case scenario is that Wal-Mart starts buying locally, we develop our local economies with environmentally friendly practices, and that we enjoy cleaner air and water. I never thought I'd say this, but...luv ya Bill!!
