Image from: clearingthefogradio.org
When it comes to climate change, corporations must take
responsibility for their actions especially those which have proven to be very
harmful in terms of sustainability. Corporate social responsibility is known as
“the commitment of business to contribute to sustainable economic development
working with employees, their families, the local community and society at
large to improve their quality of life,” this implies a focus on stakeholders
who can influence the financial or competitive position of the firm, leaving
little or no resources directed to serve the interest or marginalized
stakeholder groups” (Banerjee, 2008). Although there are regulations put in
place, corporations find loopholes in the rules that, in the end, earn them
more money while not actually taking the responsibility they should be required
to but just because something is ethically right or wrong does not mean that
the big wigs will not find a way around it. Hand in hand with this idea of
responsibility is the process of regulating the environment and its resources.
Studies show that although regulatory teams have adopted cooperative
strategies, owners and employees of corporations find them to be highly
punitive. Because of this, there is an increased likelihood of “unintended
negative consequences,” including being less likely to act on regulator
suggestions for improvements or provide information to the regulator (Rorie,
et. al, 2015).
The main point that is
being made here is that large, major corporations are not properly doing what
they can to reverse climate change. There is so much power within these
organizations that could be used to inform and to influence others’ decisions
on how to go about creating a sustainable way of life rather than continuing to
destroy the Earth we live on. We need to get back to our roots and approach
this problem with changes in mind and not just ways around it. In order to
jumpstart the environmental movement we need to turn away from market-based
solutions and encourage positive media coverage while holding corporations
responsible for strictly following new regulations that could be implemented to
encourage and enforce renewables rather than fossil fuels. Innovations can be
made and communities can be greatly improved if corporations start doing their
part and taking responsibility.
Banerjee, S. B. (2008).
Corporate Social Responsibility: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly. Critical
Sociology, 34(1).
Rorie, M., Rinfret, S., & Pautz, M. (2015). The thin green line:
Examining environmental regulation and environmental offending from multiple
perspectives. International Journal of Law, Crime and Justice, 43(4), 586-608.
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