The myth that surprised me the most was Myth 5: Sustainability is too expensive. I’ve always believed that becoming more “green” could be expensive, but eventually would pay off. Many can’t afford to install solar panels in their homes, or switch to hybrid cars. Becoming more sustainable can be a little more challenging for those in the middle or low class. With that being said I think that there is still some truth in this myth. Another myth that surprised me was Myth 2: Sustainability is all about the environment.
I’ve always thought that it was, but after reading this article my thoughts have changed. I have never thought that originally it focused on helping poor countries get basic necessities, I’ve always thought it was only about reserving resources for the future. This article has created a new outlook on our world becoming more sustainable. It’s not just about preparing for the future, but also creating basic necessities for everyone now. Paul Hawken mentioned “ … we steal the future, sell it in the present, and call it GDP”.
I’ve never thought of it has stealing, but it is and also selfish. Overall being that I’m a fresh learner to sustainability and what it actually means, I think I’ve learned a lot from this article. Many of the myths stated I also thought were true, but this article has given me a new outlook on sustainability. what are your views toward the average MNC with regard to ensuring sustainability globally? Should MNCs be deemed as environmental “plunderers” as portrayed in The Corporation?
Or, do we see a trend towards companies implementing sustainable practices, as Ray Anderson depicts in his Ted Talk? I think the average MNC has enough power to help us become more sustainable globally, and to help eliminate some of these “bad apples”. In “The Corporation” it was mentioned that corporations focus on putting their bottom line before every thing else including public goods. I took this statement as corporations are not focusing on what’s good for us globally but instead their main focus is to make as much money possible.
I do believe that corporations should be deemed as plunderers because, as Ray Anderson mentioned corporations are taking something that belongs to every creature on earth. Part 8: Mindset, Ray Anderson never thought about what he was doing to the earth, until he began to listen to his customers. It’s also important that those who are not apart of these corporations to speak up to them, and just maybe they’ll listen and make changes just as Ray Anderson did.
Many corporations are wrongfully and knowingly taking away from all, which is sickening. I do think there is a slight trend in corporations implementing sustainable practices, but we are nowhere near where we need to be, and there is still more that can be done. Ray Anderson stated, “We need to transfer our technology to diminish impact rather than multiply it”. Overall it’s important for corporations to realize that they can and maybe even double profits as Ray Anderson did, and still implement sustainable practices.
