Wow, another TreeHugger post about how fantastic a job Wal-Mart is doing. Perhaps you should do less parroting of their press releases and more reporting of their practices. Just a suggestion.

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editor note: TH focuses on positive developments and solutions. If Wal Mart (or whoever) does something good, we'll report it and encourage them to continue. Doesn't mean that everything they do is good and that there aren't problems, but we can't do everything and there are already lots and lots of people reporting the negative stuff.

I would like to ad that the new Wal-mart super center they built in my town (which did put two nearby grocery stores out of business) has large glass pains in the ceiling which let the sunlight through and light the store with natural sunlight during the day.

Regardless of what you think about Walmart, this is significant because if they are reducing their bottom line their competitors will be forced to do the same. Not only does it help with image (which is obviously important to them) but if it gives them a financial advantage other corporations will take note and follow. That benefits everybody.

Responding to the editor's note above . . . . I agree that if Walmart does something good, then Treehugger should report it.

However, if we consider that poverty and hunger are environmental issues, as indicated in past Treehugger posts, then Treehugger should also call out Wal Mart on their anti-environmental positions. In Maryland (and I'm sure in other places), for example, full-time Wal Mart employees quality for public assistance.

Walmart can install all the CFLs they want in their stores. But until Walmart demonstates a commitment to treating their employees fairly under the law and with dignity, I will NEVER shop at Walmart. Ever.

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editor note: I absolutely agree that these things are important, and we can probably do a better job of calling out wal mart on it. Thanks for writing.

I fully support Treehugger on posting this. Wal-Mart is not just serious on these issues, their commitment goes up to the CEO level. Fortune magazine did a cover story last year on how Rob Walton, chairman of a board and longtime environmentalist, convinced Lee Scott, CEO, that this is a good thing. It's an eye-opening story .

I think that most people (including Treehugger) don't realise how big this is. When a behemoth such as Wal-Mart (and you have to recognise the size - eight times Microsoft or 2% of US GDP) decides to go Green it sends two powerful messages to the corporate world.

1. If Wal-Mart is doing it, it's *got* to be profitable.
2. What a great way to spread a positive message about a company.

This could, and probably already is becoming a major force in taking the corporate world along in the fight to climate change.

George Monbiot recently wrote about the issue too in The New Friends of Earth.

"If Wal-Mart is doing it, it's *got* to be profitable."
Don't confuse their words with their actions. They've already been caught labeling conventional produce as organic

During the '04 elections, Wal-Mart donated 2.6 million to right-wing conservatives who, in turn, legislate against the green agenda that this site is supposed to represent.

This seems to be a case of 1 step forward, 10 steps back. While I commend your ability to see the positive in Wal-Mart, I find it myopic to ignore the larger context.

I think I'll continue to support the co-op down the street where I can find local, organic produce as well as CFLs.