Can Wal-Mart Ever Be 'Green'?

[progressoid]

http://www.alternet.org/envirohealth/49965/

Wal-Mart's commitments to become more energy efficient are not without substance, but what can't be ignored is that big-box retailing is intrinsically unsustainable.

With its recent flurry of green initiatives, Wal-Mart has won the embrace of several prominent environmental groups. "If they do even half what they say they want to do, it will make a huge difference for the planet," said Ashok Gupta of the Natural Resources Defense Council.

Environmental Defense, meanwhile, has deemed Wal-Mart's actions momentous enough to warrant opening an office near the retailer's headquarters in Bentonville, Ark. "If can nudge Wal-Mart in the right direction on the environment, we can have a huge impact," said the organization's executive vice president, David Yarnold.
...

Here's the key issue. Wal-Mart's carbon estimate omits a massive source of CO2 that is inherent to its operations and amounts to more than all of its other greenhouse-gas emissions combined: the CO2 produced by customers driving to its stores.

The dramatic growth of big-box retailers, including Wal-Mart, Target, and Home Depot, over the last 15 years has been mirrored by an equally dramatic rise in how many miles we travel running errands. Between 1990 and 2001 (the most recent year for which the U.S. Department of Transportation has data), the number of miles that the average American household drove each year for shopping grew by more than 40 percent.

[liberal N proud]

1. That is hilarious - they want more customers but it hurts their carbon footprint

[papau]

2. the Walmart bulb replacement with incan light at cost is only environmental act that

seems real.

The cost savings of the store light change is just bottom line money and PR.

[Eagle_Eye]

3. Retail sales is all about appearances

Get the customers into the store and sell them a good looking product
Looking 'Green' gives WalMart a good appearance
The only 'Green' WalMart really cares about is the 'Green' the customers plonk down in the checkout line.