No More Low Prices, No Way?

In an effort to appease its critics and improve its image among its enemies, Wal-Mart is embracing a global warming strategy that will dramatically increase its operating expenses.

Wal-Mart believes it can use the concern about global warming to improve its public image. Accordingly, the company is disclosing its estimated environmental impact and promoting its actions to reduce its carbon footprint. By following this model of a CSR company, Wal-Mart hopes to earn public credit by playing an active role in being part of the “solution”.

The problem for Wal-Mart is its CSR strategy has blinded it from the reality that global warming alarmism and subsequent regulation is a colossal business risk. In the short term, the company will get some positive headlines for being “green” but in the long term, the impact of high-energy prices from global warming regulation will harm its business.

Why in the world would Wal-Mart want to suck up to its opponents (who are simply arrogant snobs like John Edwards anyway) while turning its back on its friends?