Eye Opener: Review of Reading #35

Lots of It About - Corporate Social Responsibility

"I believe in corporations, the are indispensable instruments of our modern civilization; but I believe that they should be so superviesed and so regulated that they shall act for the interests of the community as a whole" - Teddy Roosevelt

The reading, "Lots of It About - Corporate Social Responsibility" targets the problem of big businesses not taking responsibility when leaving communities high and dry (out of jobs, only pursuing the interests of their stakeholders, exploiting third-world countries, trashing the environment and challenging democratically elected governments). There has been a push for companies to become more responsible for their actions. "Business Strengthening America", is a program that does just that. BSA encourages civic engagement and volunteering throughout corporate America, which in turn large companies are required to think of more than just their stakeholders interests.

East Indies:

The first big push to change a company and the way it worked dates back to 1790. Elizabeth Heyrick led a consumer boycott by urging her fellow citizens to stop buying "blood stained" sugar from the West Indies. This boycott resulted in the Indies buying their sugar from producers in Bengal who did not use slaves as their workers. Currently, the influence of non-governmental organizations on corporations is much more pervasive.


In America, businessmen created modern organizations that spanned the continent much faster than the government could. By 1891, the Pennsylvania Railroad had employed over 110,00 people which was three times the amount of people enlisted in the army, navy and marines combined. Because of this, it was easier for monoliths to lay down their own rules. Companies laying down their own laws however, did not have that freedom for long. Shortly after, there were unions that had sprung up and journalists who revealed corporate abuse.

Not until the 1980's did America start seeing more independent businesses. For that, we have Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Reagan to thank. In the 1980's there were generations of more aggressive and numerous stakeholders who believed that companies should be run on their (individuals) interests.

Good Deeds Aplenty:

Many of the American companies were willing to take on social obligations without the prompting of the government. Quaker's had founded many banks and confectionery firms where they had regular meetings to justify the good that their business is doing for their peers, religion was a large part of corporations inspiration at the time to do good. Much of America's educational and health infrastructure was formed based on religion. Companies had introduced pensions and health-care benefits longs before government had told them to do so, and were able to guarantee work for 48 weeks out of the year. Important people during this time included: Henry Ford who began paying his workers twice the minimum wage, Henry Heinz who paid for his workers education, and Tom Watson who gave his workers an education as well as country-club memberships.

Currently, many companies try to do good and believe they should be doing good for their stakeholders as well as shareholders because they are in favor of "building to last". There are two reasons why acting responsibly is in shareholders interests:

• It builds trust, and trust gives companies the benefit of the doubt when dealt with customers, workers and regulators. It allows them to weather storms, such a lay-offs or a product that does not work
• The edge it gives in attracting good employee as well as customers.

Terms:

Corporate Social Responsibility - how responsible companies should be to those other than their own shareholders

Greenpeace - Leading independent campaigning organization that uses peaceful direct action and creative communication to expose global environmental problems and to promote solutions that are essential to a green and peaceful future

Codswallop - Nonsense

Oligopolistic - A market condition in which sellers are so few that the actions of any one of them will materially affect price and have a measurable impact on competitors.


Other View Points:

http://www.forbes.com/2008/10/16/corporate-social-responsibility-corprespons08-lead-cx_mn_de_tw_1016csr_land.html ---> A website article that believes corporate social responsibility is a great thing. Companies that "demonstrate a concern for the environment, human rights, community development and the welfare of their employees both in the U.S. and abroad, they will make their firms more profitable. Their firms will gain a competitive advantage by appealing to the growing numbers of socially and environmental oriented consumers, investors and employees."

http://hbswk.hbs.edu/archive/4008.html ---> A website that believes corporate social responsibility is not a smart choice on behalf of business owners. It states that "company social responsibility initiatives could diminish shareholder returns, distract business leaders from their focus, and often allow companies to continue bad behavior in the shadows."



--- If all business focused on Corporate social responsibility, would our country be better off or would it hurt hurt more because companies focus would be more on the individuals rather than the "real" service the company is providing?



(For some reason, my font sizes are not working very well... Sorry that it might be hard to read or look funny!)

Eye Opener: CSPI

For this Eye Opener, I had chose the Eating Green quiz. Since I don't have a lot of time to make food for myself (juggling jobs, a sport and 16 credits doesn't leave me with a lot of time at home), my servings per week of eating pork, beef and chicken were low which was great (I didn't get a negative score!) However, the amount of dairy that I eat gives me negative results... I love yogurt and milk plus a little bit of ice cream here and there (my weakness :])

My overall Health Score I had done well on however, the environmental and animal welfare categories were negative (pretty sure this is a bad thing!)

Overall, I had a score of 7 which left me in the "Uh-oh you need help" category... Safe to say, that REALLY surprised me!

Check out your score!

Share and Voice

After watching Al Gore's documentary, I logged onto YouTube and searched for videos on natural disasters that have left a large impact on our society.

One of the most influential video's I had found was on Hurricane Katrina. The reason this video hit home for me, is because it's a natural disaster I remember well and had spent a lot of time paying attention to while it was on the news.



Check this video out!
It's a clip from a documentary that is in the process of being put together... Here's my question to you...


*Are natural disasters truly something that can be prevented (back up your opinion) are can there only be precaution steps to prevent damage once a natural disaster strikes?

Reflections: Week 3 and 4

---Week 3 and 4 Reflections---

During the past two weeks of Environmental Health, we have spent our time watching “An Inconvenient Truth”, a film based on Al Gore’s crusade to stop global warming across the country. Gore touched many points in his documentary ranging from the temperatures that are steadily increasing, number of ice glaciers that are constantly melting, species that will slowly die, and the rapid spread of disease. For me, the most amazing fact was that global sea levels could rise by more than 20 feet while the ice in Greenland and Antarctica melts.



After watching this documentary in class, I wanted to know more. I searched for the Inconvenient Truth website and came across a lot of great information. Some information that I found was covered in the documentary, other info was completely new to me. It is a website I would recommend to others and think the peers in my Environmental Health class would enjoy. Check it out!

On the website, you will find information like: interesting global warming facts, information about the film, ways you can reduce you impact on global warming at home and while on the move, 10 simple tips to live by, and information on how to help at a local, national and international level!

Share and Voice

Did you know...

That the way we eat our food and where we get our food from LARGELY influences how much pollution is put in our air? I was on Google trying to find which foots are environmentally friendly and found a website that with a few tips on how to make your meal choices healthier for yourself, and our planet :)

Check it out!

Eye Opener: Ecological Footprint

For the ecological footprint assignment, the first test that I did was a Ecological Footprint Calculator. I found out that if everyone lived like me, we would need THREE planet earths to support each individual. That was somewhat surprising to me because I try to do my best recycling, turning lights off when possible, taking short showers and driving with others when possible. When exploring my answers, I found that if I were able to take the bus more often, use newer appliances and buy products with recycled products, the energy level I use would be greatly reduced!

The second test that I took was the Travel Calculator. This test calculates how much gas you use when going on with your daily routine, traveling to sporting events as well as long distance holiday trips. After putting in all my information, I found that my gas use and pollution emission is greater than most people's. I am assuming that this is because of the trips that I take. The closest family members that I have is two hours away, so when going up north to visit family, home or with my boyfriend to visit his family, we're driving at least two hours minimum, one way. Not only do I do a lot of traveling to visit family, but I play on the club Ultimate Frisbee team and all the traveling we do for tournament is by bus or car.

The last quiz that I did was another Ecological Footprint Quiz which was more comprehensive then the first. It was more specific in questions and took a little longer. On this quiz, my footprint was 151.72 which is much lower than our country's average. That surprised me a lot and I made me pretty happy! :)

Share and Voice: Steve's Photo Challenge

The photo that I am submitting into Steve's Photo Challenge was taken last summer atop a hill in Babbitt, Minnesota. The view from atop the hill is one of my favorite places I have been to in Minnesota. When visiting Babbitt, this is where I spend the majority of my time (in the woods). My dad has a hunting shack that is being built in this area and the reason I like it so much is because it's very secluded (we own 9 achres and don't have to worry about other people tresspassing onto our land). If you know the area well, you'd be able to tell where the city limits are, along with Birch Lake which is approximately 2 miles outside of town just by looking at this photo. If any of you have the chance, visiting the Babbitt/Ely area is a must! :)