March 13, 2008 5:32PM
Wal-Mart’s Lee Scott: “History Will Judge Wal-Mart…”
By Liz Claman
Lee Scott talks the talk AND walks the walk. I talked to him today, live in Santa Barbara at the Wall Street Journal’s first-ever ECOnomics conference. He’s a low-key guy who doesn’t make bold, dramatic statements. He tells it like it is — and when it comes to going green, he’s calmly, but firmly, telling anyone who asks that, “We’re doing it. If it’s good for our customers, we’ll do it.” So he’s finding ways to turn the world’s largest retailer into a better corporate citizen when it comes to the environment.
Among Wal-Mart’s commitments:
–get customers to recycle their plastic bags
–get customers to buy Wal-Mart’s 99 cent reusable grocery bags
–putting compact fluorescent bulbs in all store lighting displays
–improving battery efficiency in warehouse forklifts
–aiming for zero-waste
Now, I asked him to be honest on one particular point: Was he always on board with becoming more environmentally friendly? Or did he have to come around to it? He said it was a process but now he’s come around and he feels history will judge Wal-Mart by how it helps cut down on waste and emissions. I held up one of the energy-efficient compact fluorescent bulbs we had bought at a Wal-Mart on our way to the conference and asked, “Do you have these in YOUR house?” No hesitation. “I do. It was one of my personal sustainability resolutions and now I’ve got them in my home.”
When a company like Wal-Mart takes the lead, others follow, or get lost in the shuffle.
So folks, today we finished out our first day at the ECOconference. Tomorrow, lots more live from Bacara, one of the most beautiful resorts in the nation. It’s been a busy, crazy day for our fabulous Fox Business crew who worked all night to set up our operations. Lance and Pete, my photographers, ran all over the place with me so we could bring unique shots to you, our viewers. Hope you like it, we’ll be back at it again tomorrow.
–Liz
Comment by Mike Garcia
Mar 13th, 2008 at 8:56 pm
Thank you for having this blog Liz. I know you’re getting beat up a bit . . . but I think most viewers of FBN aren’t “all-in” with the Global Warming theory as you are.
I love your daily show and thought it was a good move for Fox to sign you from cnbc; however, you don’t have to keep showing the NBC-slant anymore. Global Warming is by no means a settled issue. The science is lining up against the man-made Global Warming and everyday there seems to be more “real” scientists presenting opposing views to Al Gore’s overstated envronmental statements.
Besides, the whole Global Warming push is based on an official body of the UN. The UN Liz . . .c’mon. We always here about the climate change from actors, politicians, musicians, writers and the very enlightening hooligans who cause trouble, throw bottles and burn stores at every global event.
Keep up the good work, but could you do us a favor and cut back on some of the “facts” language. You can belive man-made global warming all you want, but please offer us a neutral view when you report . . . at least aknowledge there’s a legitimate arguement against the IPCC view (a view where they write the conclusion before they write their annual report).
Thanks,
Mike Garcia
Chicago, IL
Comment by Ford Stevens
Mar 14th, 2008 at 6:19 pm
Wal-Mart will go down in History as the Greatest Company ever established in the US.
Wal-Mart has done more for this country and the people of this country, than any other big Company. They have given people jobs, like rural America, they have and still so prices people can afford, like low income folks, and I have seen high income folks in Wal-Mart. No Company, I repeat No Company can compare to Wal-Mart.
Keep going Wal-Mart.
Thanks
Ford Stevens
Comment by Dennis
Mar 14th, 2008 at 10:28 pm
Walmart is being judged by the Democrats and their union supporters. As long as Walmart is non-union, Walmart will be unfairly judged.
Comment by charlie kukral
Mar 15th, 2008 at 1:22 am
I too believe there is no such thing as ‘global warming’ .. there will always be
climate change.. For global warming, who decides where to start measuring?? 100 years ago, 1000 years ago, or 1 million years ago.
I have always be conservative, recycled all my life, and drive at 60 or under to conserve fuel. Always will, I conserve water & compost kitchen waste.
I also believe that Walmart has not only saved people money at their stores, but forced
competitors nearby to lower their prices as well.. check prices in areas that do not
yet have a Walmart.
Thanks Walmart
Charlie Kukral
Comment by Ken Mitchell
Mar 15th, 2008 at 3:07 pm
Wal-Mart will go down in history, all right, as the classic example of the “Law of Unintended Consequences”. Wal-Mart has been the biggest importer of toxic and shoddy Chinese products; I defy you to find something that ISN’T “Made in China”. Wal-mart tries to negotiate lower prices for their products - forcing the manufacturers to cut quality to EVERY merchant. Example: “Miracle Whip” salad dressing. Wal-Mart wanted to sell it for less, so Kraft reformulated it with water as the #1 ingredient instead of vegetable oil. Now Miracle Whip tastes bad and doesn’t last as well. Click Here or here
And to what result? Prices are down a few cents. Meanwhile, the American workers who used to make stuff have been laid off as their jobs moved offshore.
Comment by scsmith
Mar 15th, 2008 at 4:00 pm
“Wal-Mart will go down in History as the Greatest Company ever established in the US.
Wal-Mart has done more for this country and the people of this country, than any other big Company. They have given people jobs, like rural America, they have and still so prices people can afford, like low income folks, and I have seen high income folks in Wal-Mart. No Company, I repeat No Company can compare to Wal-Mart”
I would be interested in finding your affiliation to Walmart.. family member employed there? I will concede the fact that Sam Walton started something good, but the head of Corporate greed took over. And like the other China chasing puppets one day you will come to realize that each container floating in the harbor or on rail, is America LOST!
Lastly, you should consider dropping your name Ford.. I think CCC= Cheap=China=Crap is more in-line.