In a fascinating greenwash article coming out in the Plain Dealer today, readers are offered an in-depth look into the lobbying efforts of industry to influence legislation impacting our environment, with a key example being action against the environment at the Ohio statehouse. The article, "Fertilizer companies battle environmental concerns", addresses the impact on the rest of the world of Scotts Miracle-Gro Co. in Marysville, Ohio, and Lesco Inc. in Cleveland, the leading sellers of fertilizer for homeowners and lawn care professionals. The issue is their products harm the environment... the spin is discussion about how "America’s lawn-care industry is fighting back, liberally spreading its own green-sounding message." "The industry’s front-line tool: a lobbying group with a green-sounding name — Responsible Industry for a Sound Environment, or RISE."
The article has a pro-industry feel, as would be expected from the PD, but raises an interesting observation that is consistent with excellent developments in recent months, where some unexpected business and governement forces are helping save human life and the environment, despite efforts of forces like RISE and the PD. Consider, " Scotts meantime faces another challenge from one of its major customers, Wal-Mart. Promoting itself as environmentally responsible, Wal-Mart in October announced it would pressure suppliers to stop using three chemicals, including the insecticide permethrin, used in pesticides that Scotts sells through Wal-Mart stores."
Kinda makes you think about how all the fast food chains are now dropping transfats. In that cae, the market force was NYNY, but in the end the message is an intelligent market can change industry.
As the PD article quotes, about WalMart: " “Companies were surprised, and they’re trying to get clarification from Wal-Mart, as are we,” says RISE’s James. “We believe that the activist community was involved in this decision by Wal-Mart.” "
Read the PD article on this here [1].
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Avoid Pesticides Sign.JPG [2] | 55.35 KB |
Against Pesticide Yard.JPG [3] | 91.18 KB |
Links:
[1] http://www.cleveland.com/business/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/news/116531274522750.xml&coll=2
[2] http://realneo.us/system/files/Avoid+Pesticides+Sign.JPG
[3] http://realneo.us/system/files/Against+Pesticide+Yard.JPG
[4] http://realneo.us/We-are-going-there
[5] http://realneo.us/commuting-costs-for-1-year-of-driving
[6] http://realneo.us/Flex-our-Power