The Magazine of Corporate Responsibility

Archive for August, 2010

Mark Hurd’s Leadership Failure

Mark Hurd, who had served as HP’s CEO for the last five years, resigned at the Board’s request after an investigation concluded he had engaged in inappropriate behavior that violated HP’s Standards of Business Conduct. In a press release, Hurd said “there were instances in which I did not live up to the standards and principles of trust, respect and integrity that I have espoused at HP….”

What’s So Bad About Cotton?

There’s a lot “bad” about conventionally grown cotton—cotton grown with the aid of synthetic chemicals, that is. The Organic Trade Association considers cotton “the world’s dirtiest crop” due to its heavy use of insecticides. The nonprofit Environmental Justice Foundation reports that cotton uses 2.5 percent of the world’s cultivated land yet uses 16 percent of the world’s insecticides—more than any other single major crop.

10 Simple Things You Can Do To “Green” Your Office

No matter how green your office may be already, there is surely room for improvement somewhere. Here are 10 suggestions to help get you and your co-workers further along on the path to office sustainability.

GAO Report Finds For-Profit Colleges Encouraged Fraud

A report released by the Government Accountability Office further highlights some of the questionable recruiting tactics of several for-profit colleges across the country.

National Supermarket Chains Source More Local Foods

EarthTalk® From the Editors of E/The Environmental Magazine Dear EarthTalk: I know that local food has health and environmental benefits, but my local grocer only carries a few items. Is there a push for bigger supermarkets to carry locally produced food? — Maria Fine, Somerville, MA By eating locally sourced foods, we strengthen the bond [...]

Political Contributions by Target and Best Buy Stir Criticism

Retailers Target and Best Buy find themselves the focus of unwanted attention following their contributions to an organization that backs a Minnesota gubernatorial candidate who opposes gay marriage. The case is one of the first major controversies since the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that corporations and unions could spend freely on political campaigns.