Scientists tell us that each ton of coal or barrel of oil burned adds to the risk of dangerous climate change, which over 160 countries have pledged to prevent in an international treaty. Similarly, forestry companies which log in ancient forests, the richest terrestrial reservoirs of biodiversity on the planet, make it almost impossible to implement the commitments made by 165 countries to protect species in 1992 international Convention of Biological Diversity. Currently, it is estimated that 50-100 species become extinct each day, and forest clearing is a major contributer. This is another example of how a core business can be in fundamental contradiction with a sustainable environment. In some cases, companies with a highly destructive core business have launched or expanded initiatives for cleaner or less destructive processes and products.
Oil companies moving into solar energy is an example.
This trend is to be strongly encouraged. Advertising Practice Corporate advertising budgets can be huge and their effects on shaping consumer behaviour enormous. Collectively, global advertising budgets run into many billions of dollars, significantly more than most governments and corporations spend on environmental improvement. This fact alone justifies continuous and detailed public scrutiny of the advertising practice and claims of industry. With this power goes a responsibility that cannot be regulated alone by local advertising standards.