| Not too long ago, the European Union pledged to | | | | the emotions it elicits, and it is not the business that |
| enforce trade restrictions on countries that do not | | | | is to blame for the part it plays in the human |
| comply with their efforts to reduce their greenhouse | | | | condition. But in each situation, it is the people who |
| gasses and help to prevent climate change and global | | | | are involved who must take responsibility for the |
| warming. Many hoped that America would have been | | | | action of the creation. Just as art needs both the |
| the leader in this endeavor and taken the first step | | | | artist and the witness to be appreciated, each |
| toward environmental sustainability. However, our | | | | business consists not only of the supplier, but of the |
| mentality as a nation too often prizes our "freedom" | | | | consumer as well. And that is where we need to |
| to impose limitations. Especially given the fact that | | | | consciously accept our roles. |
| many of America's most prosperous corporate | | | | At this stage in the game, we must look again at the |
| entities will suffer if we seek to protect the | | | | machines that we have created in our gallery of |
| environment, it is safe to say that our government | | | | capitalism. We must consider the by-products of the |
| will not lead us in this endeavor of global advocacy. | | | | businesses we are using and the products we are |
| So it is up to the individuals, the people upon which | | | | consuming. We must weigh the differences between |
| this country is based, to step up to the plate and be | | | | what we truly need and the sacrifices which are |
| the change we wish to see in our country and our | | | | being made for us to attain it. It is time for us to be |
| world. | | | | conscious consumers. |
| Instead of waiting for government to mandate that | | | | Over the last few decades our government, which |
| large corporations need to make the changes that will | | | | was once hailed as an entity "Of the People, By the |
| reduce pollution and implement sustainable practices, it | | | | People, and For the People," has become largely |
| is up to us to seek out and educate one another on | | | | reclaimed as an entity "Of the Corporation, By the |
| actionable changes that people can make today | | | | Corporation, and For the Corporation." We are firmly |
| which will effect our collective global footprint. One of | | | | grounded in the concept of Capitalism and the Free |
| those changes is the business we engage in and the | | | | Market so this transfer of power should be of no |
| products we use. | | | | great surprise. Nevertheless, though an added integer |
| Believe it or not, global corporations are not at fault | | | | may have been added into the mix, the American |
| for our current situation. They are entities which we | | | | people can once again take control of our |
| created to do our bidding and are not the cause of | | | | government. If the government is to be run by |
| our ecological woes. They are merely one of the | | | | corporations, then we must make our votes heard at |
| avenues through which it has been delivered. We | | | | the cash register. |
| created businesses and we created their policies. | | | | Given the climate of competition in our society, for |
| Whether the policies are good or bad, they are a | | | | almost every product or service that we use, there |
| construct of mankind's imagination. If they are | | | | is an alternative. Additionally, with the rapid growth of |
| causing a blight on the future of this planet and | | | | green initiatives, we are seeing a great rise in |
| polluting the environment, it is our oversight in | | | | businesses that are providing sustainable alternatives. |
| planning that has caused the devastation, not the | | | | By changing our buying practices to include more |
| business itself. | | | | local, fair trade, and eco-conscious businesses, we |
| A business is something we create, and aside from | | | | can make our voices heard as to which way we |
| its lack of visual aesthetic beauty, it is a work of art. | | | | think our government and our economy should |
| From the service delivery paradigm to the material | | | | operate. |
| production model, businesses are truly fascinating | | | | We are at in an extremely fortuitous situation where |
| machines that create jobs, wealth, supply, and | | | | information is readily attained should we only have |
| security. However, they also often create the | | | | the impetus to look for it. If the European Union can |
| by-products of servanthood, poverty, need, and | | | | enforce trade restrictions on countries that don't |
| pollution. Just as a beautiful painting can elicit hope | | | | comply with their efforts to reduce their greenhouse |
| and delight, it can also elicit longing and despair. | | | | gasses and help to prevent climate change and global |
| However, it is not the painting that is to blame for | | | | warming, then the American people can do the same. |