In the coming months we aim to give 'do' and 'don't' buy advice on these pages. To get on the red list companies will support the G W Bush position - of the United States walking away from its signature of the Kyoto Protocol. Bush opposed the idea of caps on US CO2 emissions. He is not supporting what other governments, the majority of his people and most non governmental organisations see as 'the only game in town' when it comes to global political action to reduce greenhouse gas pollution.
Some companies are upfront about their views.
Many try to hide behind misleading language or trade associations. To get on the green list companies must oppose Bush's position or state their support for the Kyoto Protocol. In addition, where possible, we will give a 'do buy' listing to an alternative product where the company supports action to cut US and other industrialised nation greenhouse emissions, or opposes what Bush did, and where that product is hard to avoid for the average family. Its initial carbon targets would require massive reductions in energy use within a few years, with further substantial reductions to follow. Political goals were set without a sober assessment of economic and technical realities or public toleration of major lifestyle changes.