Green acts = greenbacks for businesses

Somebody has to save the environment, right? Why not make a few bucks in the process?

Sure, it sounds cynical, but that's where we are these days ... at least according to this Associated Press article.

"The United States, Europe and Japan are locked in a frantic race to cash in on the exploding business of saving the planet," the article claims. And it's not just businesses who have an eye on the environment. Investors, too, are seeing opportunities in becoming eco-friendly.

"(T)he battle against global warming continues to offer investors an unusual chance to be idealistic and greedy at the same time," the article states. "... Deloitte Touche's 2006 'Global Venture Capital Survey' in the Americas, the Asia-Pacific, Europe, the Middle East and Africa found that for a second year in a row respondents selected energy/environment as the sector most likely to see the highest increase in investment focus," the article continues.

Is "going green" here to stay in corporate America? Is it just a passing fad that's dependent on the bottom line? Or can both notions co-exist comfortably? What do you think?

Comments

[Marsha Draa]

In my opinion, Going Green cannot be a passing fad. It has to start small and continue to evolve. I am amazed at how few consider the environment in all aspects of their life. If it is brought onto their radar, it can eventually become a way of life.
This same thing should apply to corporate America. If it is reflected in it's bottom line, it will be acted upon. If it is what the consumer looks for, it will be more profitable for the companies to invest in the cost of becoming green than to lose business.
I am not sure how much more I want the federal government to be involved. But I do like the idea that I have read about where the government requires companies to be green or on their way before they will be considered for government contracts.
We should look to other countries and what they are doing. Follow, catch up and even better, lead.