Sustainable Business

Business has replaced the institutions of government and religion as the primary force driving the world.  Unfortunately, unbridled, hyper-competitive global capitalism is also the primary force pushing the world toward ecological disaster.

The reform of international business, therefore, holds out the greatest potential for pulling the planet back from the brink of environmental catastrophe, and even for bettering the overall human condition.  Capitalism and technology must be harnessed to save the planet, rather than bury it in an orgy of gluttonous consumption.

This page is under reconstruction. Some topics currently available:

• Tax law concepts to support sustainability
• Legalize cannabis
• Used coffee grounds for fertilizer and potting mixes
• Common sense forestry practices

You say you have an idea for a sustainable business?  If you wish to tell us about it, great, do so below.  If not, well, we understand, and we wish you well in pursuit of that.

Some leading sustainable businesses you can support right now include:

• Interface, Inc.
• Real Goods Corporation
• Smith & Hawken
• Working Assets Long Distance

Interface, Inc.: In 1994, Interface Chief Executive Officer Ray Anderson experienced an epiphany of sorts while reading "The Ecology of Commerce," by Paul Hawken. Since then, Anderson has been on a quest to totally remake this Atlanta-based manufacturer of office interiors.  He is pushing for zero emissions, zero waste, and complete lifecycle ownership of its products.  He has spoken all over the world about the need to change the way we do business.  Read a speech Ray Anderson gave in California at a conference sponsored by the California Integrated Waste Management Board.  Or, visit his sustainable business website.

Investors, check a quote here, courtesy of Quicken.com.  You will be sending the right message by rewarding responsible corporate behavior,

Real Goods: This Northern California company sells products which help people save energy, reduce fossil fuel consumption, support sustainable businesses and help others build healthy communities. It helps to create markets for sustainably produced goods.  The energy efficiency and solar energy products sold by Real Goods have prevented billions of pounds of globally warming carbon dioxide from being produced.  Real Goods, founded by John Schaeffer, operates the Solar Living Center and Institute in Hopland, California.  In 2001, Real Goods was purchased by the Gaiam Company, a healthy lifestyles-oriented catalog  company based in Colorado.  The merger seems to have created a stronger company; the Real Goods name has been preserved and prices, if anything, seem to have come down a little.

Investors, check a quote here, again, courtesy of Quicken.com.  The stock did well in 2001, and seems to go up when the general market goes down. 

Smith & Hawken: This purveyor of sustainable gardening chic was founded by Paul Hawken, one of the founders of the environmental business ethic.  He is the author of a number of books on green commerce.  This company is not publicly traded.

Please nominate other sustainable businesses for listing on these pages.