se if their customers began to buy “green” products in full swing, whereas a threat would be the exact opposite.

Without further question, I’m glad that two of the most profitable chains in America are finally starting to address global warming. Interestingly enough, I’ve just looked at a study in a “green” magazine that emphasized wood from endangered forests and methane emitted from cows as being a greater threat than all means of transportation and energy combined. This is not to say all businesses should not take the production and consumption of energy-efficient appliances, light bulbs, windows, and other products into thoughtful consideration, however. But

A lot of socio-cultural, political and global economic attention has been placed on global climate change for the past few years. Once reluctant to address this hotly contested issue, two of the nation’s largest retailers, Wal-Mart and the Home Depot, are now beginning to pick up the slack. Since 2005, Wal-Mart has made a strong commitment to reduce energy usage in its stores, improve its commercial vehicles’ gas mileage, and, most importantly, depend on suppliers capable of developing more “green” products. The Home Depot, on the other hand, has just started to follow in Wal-Mart’s eco-friendly footsteps, with initiatives of their own unique kind.

It is common practical sense that these two retail titans will persuade their retail sales competitors, or subordinates for that matter, to speed up their approaches to the important changes involved in sustainable innovation. However, consumers often back away from buying environmentally friendly products because of the fact that they are more expensive than their environmentally damaging counterparts. Even worse, consumers who can afford to buy “green” products, including the popular “spiral” fluorescent light bulbs, are often unsatisfied with the ways these products work. Regardless of these setbacks, though, the Home Depot is allowing suppliers that qualify for an eco-friendly label to be rewarded with preferential treatment, or VIP-like shelf space in their stores for that matter. But first, the products must meet federal and industry regulations or environmental validations by outside (and sometimes lesser-known) companies.

Innovation and change matter, even to companies who refuse to take on the challenges associated with them. All companies, especially those involved in socially, morally or ethically questionable practices, must be willing to replace their old, wasteful habits with new, more environmentally effective habits. In other words, it is very important for businesses to meet the technologically creative needs, wants, and desires of the outside world in order to sustain their competitive edge.

Usually, companies depend on their buyers or suppliers to create an overall more opportunistic or relationship-based environment. What Home Depot and Wal-Mart are ultimately hoping for is that manufacturers, home builders and consumers follow their lead to combat climate change by buying products that will benefit, rather than harm, the planet we all inhabit. The two retail giants are also looking into the outside world to see if certain events or issues might affect the ways of managing their business; they can view “green” products as either a threat or an opportunity. An opportunity may arise if their customers began to buy “green” products in full swing, whereas a threat would be the exact opposite.

Without further question, I’m glad that two of the most profitable chains in America are finally starting to address global warming. Interestingly enough, I’ve just looked at a study in a “green” magazine that emphasized wood from endangered forests and methane emitted from cows as being a greater threat than all means of transportation and energy combined. This is not to say all businesses should not take the production and consumption of energy-efficient appliances, light bulbs, windows, and other products into thoughtful consideration, however. But n

ractical sense that these two retail titans will persuade their retail sales competitors, or subordinates for that matter, to speed up their approaches to the important changes involved in sustainable innovation. However, consumers often back away from buying environmentally friendly products because of the fact that they are more expensive than their environmentally damaging counterparts. Even worse, consumers who can afford to buy “green” products, including the popular “spiral” fluorescent light bulbs, are often unsatisfied with the ways these products work. Regardless of these setbacks, though, the Home Depot is allowing suppliers that qualify for an eco-friendly label to be rewarded with preferential treatment, or VIP-like shelf space in their stores for that matter. But first, the products must meet federal and industry regulations or environmental validations by outside (and sometimes lesser-known) companies.

Innovation and change matter, even to companies who refuse to take on the challenges associated with them. All companies, especially those involved in socially, morally or ethically questionable practices, must be willing to replace their old, wasteful habits with new, more environmentally effective habits. In other words, it is very important for businesses to meet the technologically creative needs, wants, and desires of the outside world in order to sustain their competitive edge.

Usually, companies depend on their buyers or suppliers to create an overall more opportunistic or relationship-based environment. What Home Depot and Wal-Mart are ultimately hoping for is that manufacturers, home builders and consumers follow their lead to combat climate change by buying products that will benefit, rather than harm, the planet we all inhabit. The two retail giants are also looking into the outside world to see if certain events or issues might affect the ways of managing their business; they can view “green” products as either a threat or an opportunity. An opportunity may arise if their customers began to buy “green” products in full swing, whereas a threat would be the exact opposite.

Without further question, I’m glad that two of the most profitable chains in America are finally starting to address global warming. Interestingly enough, I’ve just looked at a study in a “green” magazine that emphasized wood from endangered forests and methane emitted from cows as being a greater threat than all means of transportation and energy combined. This is not to say all businesses should not take the production and consumption of energy-efficient appliances, light bulbs, windows, and other products into thoughtful consideration, however. But

abel to be rewarded with preferential treatment, or VIP-like shelf space in their stores for that matter. But first, the products must meet federal and industry regulations or environmental validations by outside (and sometimes lesser-known) companies.

Innovation and change matter, even to companies who refuse to take on the challenges associated with them. All companies, especially those involved in socially, morally or ethically questionable practices, must be willing to replace their old, wasteful habits with new, more environmentally effective habits. In other words, it is very important for businesses to meet the technologically creative needs, wants, and desires of the outside world in order to sustain their competitive edge.

Usually, companies depend on their buyers or suppliers to create an overall more opportunistic or relationship-based environment. What Home Depot and Wal-Mart are ultimately hoping for is that manufacturers, home builders and consumers follow their lead to combat climate change by buying products that will benefit, rather than harm, the planet we all inhabit. The two retail giants are also looking into the outside world to see if certain events or issues might affect the ways of managing their business; they can view “green” products as either a threat or an opportunity. An opportunity may arise if their customers began to buy “green” products in full swing, whereas a threat would be the exact opposite.

Without further question, I’m glad that two of the most profitable chains in America are finally starting to address global warming. Interestingly enough, I’ve just looked at a study in a “green” magazine that emphasized wood from endangered forests and methane emitted from cows as being a greater threat than all means of transportation and energy combined. This is not to say all businesses should not take the production and consumption of energy-efficient appliances, light bulbs, windows, and other products into thoughtful consideration, however. But

sires of the outside world in order to sustain their competitive edge.

Usually, companies depend on their buyers or suppliers to create an overall more opportunistic or relationship-based environment. What Home Depot and Wal-Mart are ultimately hoping for is that manufacturers, home builders and consumers follow their lead to combat climate change by buying products that will benefit, rather than harm, the planet we all inhabit. The two retail giants are also looking into the outside world to see if certain events or issues might affect the ways of managing their business; they can view “green” products as either a threat or an opportunity. An opportunity may arise if their customers began to buy “green” products in full swing, whereas a threat would be the exact opposite.

Without further question, I’m glad that two of the most profitable chains in America are finally starting to address global warming. Interestingly enough, I’ve just looked at a study in a “green” magazine that emphasized wood from endangered forests and methane emitted from cows as being a greater threat than all means of transportation and energy combined. This is not to say all businesses should not take the production and consumption of energy-efficient appliances, light bulbs, windows, and other products into thoughtful consideration, however. But

se if their customers began to buy “green” products in full swing, whereas a threat would be the exact opposite.

Without further question, I’m glad that two of the most profitable chains in America are finally starting to address global warming. Interestingly enough, I’ve just looked at a study in a “green” magazine that emphasized wood from endangered forests and methane emitted from cows as being a greater threat than all means of transportation and energy combined. This is not to say all businesses should not take the production and consumption of energy-efficient appliances, light bulbs, windows, and other products into thoughtful consideration, however. But no matter what steps you take to make a difference, either on your own or as a team, I truly believe that innovation and adaptability to change are essential strategies a business should follow in order to stay happy and healthy.