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Nature Cure
Keith Spaulding ND LAc
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Being Vital, Simple Ways to Live Healthy in a Stressful World
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Business Can
Change the World |
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During my twenties I was an angry man. I believed that the root of all evil was capitalism, and that everything would be better if the wealth that was created in society was transferred to those that needed it most. Sounds great right?
Today I’m not so convinced (and thankfully not so angry).
American business, and the consumer culture that supports it, does more damage to its population and the environment than any other country. The US is fueling the greenhouse disaster that awaits us almost single-handedly because of our need for indvidual transportation. Additionally, our habits of processed, low nutritive foods have created a sick population that relies on an expensive, inefficient medical system.
Don’t despair, this article is about hope, and the ways that people, both local and national, are making a living as well as doing good. There is money in causes. You still have to understand business to succeed, but some of the fastest growing industries are organic foods and alternative energy.
There is a growing movement of people that that will not follow the cliche that to work in something you believe in, you have to sacrifice financial success. They are demanding that their companies succeed, but are also forming companies with values they support.
For change to happen on a national and global scale, business must be involved. And since we live in a country that idolizes the entrepreneur, America may be the best place to spearhead this movement. Some people point to countries like Scandanavia as a model: They have a high standard of living, an ecologically aware business community and government, and full coverage national health. But they have a small population and do not have the frantic spirit of the individual with the need to succeed that fuels Americas. So let’s work on supporting and transforming what we do best: business.
As expected, small companies are willing to take the chances and lead the way in sustainable, profitable businesses. Pura Vida is the country’s largest fair trade seller and has set up more than 100 “Sustainable Cafes” on college campuses. Seventh Generation is slowly chipping away at the business of household goods, while being environmentally conscious. In the Aug. Utne Magazine issue, Seventh Generation President Jeffrey Hollender said that he “...would be delighted if Procter & Gamble wanted to copy everything we’re doing. That would bring about greater change far faster than we’re going to do on our own, and would force us to set the bar even higher.”
In the household goods business they may not be listening (have you seen those new disposable mops and cleaning products?). However other large companies are making changes, mostly, I think, because of a combination of favorable PR and wanting to do good.
Wal Mart is moving into the organic food industry, hoping to gradually bring their low price concept to organic foods. They are also working to reduce energy in their stores by 30% over the next 3 years, as well as double fuel efficiency in their trucks by 2015. Whatever you think of Wal Mart, the energy savings from those two programs will be huge. Who knows, I might even consider ending my 2 year ban on Wal Mart shopping!