Comments on: A Sustainable Pesticide Company?

By: Gina-Marie Cheeseman

Gina-Marie Cheeseman — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 17:27:12 +0000

Ryan, you are exactly correct! An agri-chem company is NOT sustainable by the nature of its products. Pesticides kill and harm more than the pests they are designed to target. I live in a farming community where pesticides are used by most farmers. It’s a regular part of my life to close windows when I see a spray rig connected to a tractor.
The San Joaquin Valley where I live, where I was born and raised, has the second worst air basin in the country. People are suffering with respiratory illnesses as a result.

By: Ryan Mickle

Ryan Mickle — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 15:57:54 +0000

I think the point is that many of the measures by which a company such as Dow is measured, in terms of its social and environmental impacts, are celebrating metrics and reports that no one is reading. In this case, a pesticide company such as Dow is able to see itself as a leader in sustainability and responsibility while the core function of its business is one that has real environmental costs that cannot be offset by reporting, or cause marketing.

By: Dave Shires

Dave Shires — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 13:54:27 +0000

So…. I take it you’re not convinced the GRI report should be considered accurate? Why would the GRI give them an A+ in light of all the other stuff you’re writing about here. I’m all for giving credit where it’s due, and for calling the bluff where it’s appropriate but I’m not getting a clear picture of what your point is here.