Apple Shuns CSR Report at February’s Shareholder Meeting
March 9, 2010Leave a Comment
In a highly competitive industry why does Apple refuse to take the lead?
In a proxy filing issued in January, Apple’s Board of Directors urged shareholders to vote against a shareholder resolution proposed by As You Sow, an environmental group specializing shareholding advocacy, and co-sponsored by The New York City Office of the Comptroller and the [...]
Smithfield Foods Shows Reluctance Over Sustainability
March 9, 2010Leave a Comment
Smithfield Hires Chief Sustainability Officer, Hit with Lawsuit in Same Week
Smithfield Foods, the world’s largest pork producer and processor, has a notorious history of unsustainable practices, covering the three pillars of Environmental, Social, and Governance.
As it hungers to absorb smaller pork and other meat companies around the world, Smithfield has been charged with violating federal [...]
Ghost Busters style of fiscal responsibility.
January 18, 2010Leave a Comment
The partisan slingshots that ricochet around the Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission–amplified by media pundits on all sides–brings to mind a scene from the film “Ghost Busters”. Our heroes, armed with super duper atomic weapons, try them out for the first time in hotel in midtown Manhattan. Out of control, they destroy everything around them. When [...]
Chaos in the markets
December 15, 2009Leave a Comment
Meeting rising consumer demand for green/clean products is increasingly difficult, as that demand is coupled with price sensitivities that cannot be met in uncertain regulatory environments. Getting to some clarity may become the job of the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Right now, the EPA looks like best bet because it has a mandate to [...]
It’s Energy, Stupid!
November 30, 20091 Comment
ClimateGate: We’re once again chasing the wrong story. It’s not about climate; it’s about energy, carbon, energy, jobs, energy and oil. Following a rash of articles about the leaks of emails suggesting that climate scientists occasionally have doubts, we hear that some US senators are crowing, and the Wall Street Journal has announced the end [...]
The Road to Copenhagen
September 17, 2009Leave a Comment
Climate change is still with us.
In spite the focus on health care, the search for economic melt-down culprits and a lingering war in both Afghanistan and Iraq, world leaders are preparing for the United Nations Climate Conference in Copenhagen, December 7-18. John Kerry, Senator from Massachusetts and Tim Wirth, President of the United Nations Foundation [...]
Thoughts on Van Jones
September 9, 2009Leave a Comment
If a cat is an animal, does it follow that all animals are cats?
If we listen to news today, it would seem so. If a mom doesn’t want Obama talking to her kids, and she lives in Texas, then everyone in Texas doesn’t want Obama talking to their kids. If Van Jones considers himself a [...]
The Economy Is Still at the Brink
June 15, 2009Leave a Comment
A New York Times OpEd, by SANDY B. LEWIS and WILLIAM D. COHAN, questions current wisdom about how to restore the capital markets and U.S. standing in the world. They question what they see as the business-as-usual approach and advocate a top-down and bottom-up restructuring. They focus on transparency and accountability, both of which they [...]
Being Wrong About Greed
March 17, 20092 Comments
Edward M. Liddy, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of AIG, should be wrong. Here’s why.
Liddy believes that AIG will not be able to “attract and retain the best and brightest talent to lead and staff the AIG businesses” without retention payments-bonuses. His stance shows an alarming cynicism about his staff. While he is taking $1 [...]
Soros takes aim at the bear market
January 28, 2009Leave a Comment
George Soros: “The American consumer can no longer act as the motor of the global economy.”