Global Warming,What You Can Do

Posted by Jerry Lopper Jan 21, 2008

Global Warming

Global warming. Are we destroying our environment? Are the glaciers melting at a rate that will raise ocean levels and create beach-front property in Pennsylvania? Well, that may be extreme. Though there is some dissent, the overwhelming majority believe that scientific evidence confirms our planet's climate is warming, and that this will have a serious detrimental affect on future generations.

Climate Counts

An organization named Climate Counts provides a forum for individual consumers to take some action. No demonstrations, marches, or letter writing campaigns to public officials, but economic action designed to influence corporate actions.

The lead paragraph at Climate Counts says, "Everyone's talking about global warming, but what can you personally do about it? When you buy from companies taking responsibility for climate change, you're sending a message that climate change matters to you. Not all companies share that sense of responsibility. But if they know you're paying attention to what they're doing (or not doing), they'll take action."

Climate Counts is a non-profit coalition funded by Stonyfield Farm, Inc. and launched in collaboration with Clean Air-Cool Planet.

Climate Counts use a 0-to-100 point scale and 22 criteria to determine if companies have:

• MEASURED their climate "footprint"
• REDUCED their impact on global warming
• SUPPORTED (or suggest intent to block) progressive climate legislation
• Publicly DISCLOSED their climate actions clearly and comprehensively

The scorecard for each company is viewable, along with links to email your encouragement or complaint to the corporate CEO. A company's score is reduced to one of three progress-marking categories for simplicity: Stuck, Starting, and Striding.

It's easy to compare company results in nine sectors:

For example, Canon is the top rated company (Striding) in the Electronics sector, while Apple is far distant in last place (Stuck).

The next time you make a purchase, consider supporting a company that is doing something about planet Earth.