Walmart. Coca-Cola. BP. Toyota. The world economy runs on the profits of
transnational corporations. Politicians need their backing. Non-profit
organizations rely on their philanthropy. People look to their brands
for meaning. And their power continues to rise.
Can these companies, as so many are now hoping, provide the solutions to
end the mounting global environmental crisis? Absolutely, the CEOs of
big business are telling us: the commitment to corporate social
responsibility will ensure it happens voluntarily.
Peter Dauvergne challenges this claim, arguing instead that corporations
are still doing far more to destroy than protect our planet. Trusting
big business to lead sustainability is, he cautions, unwise -- perhaps
even catastrophic. Planetary sustainability will require reining in the
power of big business, starting now.