GreenPepper Blog

Green auto manufacturing possible in U.S.

By Trish Taylor, GreenPepper

When the topic of our Nov. 19 post about the big three U.S. auto manufacturers came up, I immediately thought of Subaru. Not because of their lack of environmental awareness, but quite the opposite.

Back when I went to Purdue in West Lafayette, Ind., I always knew of the Subaru plant which set way back on I-65 in the middle of cornfields. But I never knew the hidden secrets held inside – the wonderful, "green" secrets.

Voluntarily, Subaru has a zero landfill status. According to the environmental page on their Web site, an average consumer throws more away in a day than the entire Lafayette, Ind. Subaru plant. Everything is re-used or recycled. How incredible.

They don't stop there. Also, Subaru has a "Leave No Trace" training program to teach outdoor enthusiasts how to minimize their impact on the Earth. They have reached eight million people to date. Additionally, the 800+ acres around the plant is designated as a Backyard Wildlife Habitat by the National Wildlife Federation. The list of good deeds goes on and on.

Although this company is called Subaru of America, its origin belongs to Japan. It’s amazing that an auto manufacturer from another country made a conscious decision to try to leave the smallest footprint for us. This is a lesson U.S.-born auto manufacturers should take note of and make practice of - immediately. We all know we have only one Earth.

NGOs Need to Be Genuine Too

By Ann Barlow, GreenPepper

We started this blog because we have believed for years that business and planetary interests can and must coexist. In fact, I've always thought public/private partnerships can be incredibly effective in solving our most intractable problems.

For that reason, it's very exciting to see how NGOs and business are coming together now. Each will challenge the other not to revert to type -- e.g., business being less than honest in its motives and NGOs being self-righteous.

But yesterday, when I was handed a magazine at the BART station (SF Bay Area's transit system)  entitled, "Vegetarian Starter Kit" I couldn't help but feel that an NGO had done what they've often criticized business for -- being less than transparent.  You see, the starter kit was actually a cleverly disguised shock piece by PETA.

Yes, there were a few recipes at the back, but they were preceded by the usual horrific photos of abused animals.

Preserving our planet (so we can preserve ourselves) means taking care of those we share the planet with.  We won't succeed any other way. But luring people to see our point of view through misleading tactics is hardly the way to do so. I imagine this is something NGOs would guard against where business is concerned, as would we, their PR counselors.

I would call on NGOs to require their brethren to adhere to the same standard. You might be tempted into thinking that another's misbehavior can mean more funding and mindshare for you. But when one misbehaves, everyone's reputation suffers. And the stakes are simply too high right now for that to happen.

Big Three Need to Use Green Sense if They Want Our Cents

By Ann Barlow, GreenPepper

Yesterday I read that Pres. Bush doesn't want to make additional environmental standards part of any potential bailout agreement. But, assuming the bailout takes place -- and I think it should; after all, unlike Wall Street, they actually make a product -- we need something in return.

Ford, Chrysler and GM have to ditch all their old assumptions about designing cars.  They CAN make cars that are energy efficient and they should be required to do so in exchange for use of our hard-earned money.  In time, they'll find they can make cars that are not only efficient, but also stylish and affordable.  That will ensure that they themselves are sustainable as businesses.

To me, if no energy efficiency standards are called for, then I would ask Congress not to help.  Hey, let the oil companies pay for the bailout in that case. They'll still rot the planet together, but at least it won't be with our money.