Wacko environmentalists invade Wall Street

By Andrew Snyder, Volume Spike Alert

Don’t you just love it when you run into one of those folks who talks just to hear themselves make noise? If they would close their mouth and listen to the other side for once, maybe we wouldn’t have all of this global warming we hear so much about.

Actually, global warming is exactly what I want to talk about. The liberal environmentalists are starting to have an impact on investors. That means it is time to pay attention to all of the scientists, conservationists, and all the others who contribute their share of hot air. When there is money on the line, stuff starts to happen.

Earlier today, Ceres, an environmental awareness organization, released its “climate watch list.” It contains a list of 10 companies that the feel-good group believes are least responsive to the pressures of global warming and cleaning the environment. The group’s goal is to force CEOs to care about Mother Nature by creating pressure at the shareholder level.

Of course companies like Exxon Mobil (XOM:NYSE) and coal super excavator Massey Energy (MEE:NYSE) are on the list. But there are some rather surprising names making the top 10.

Companies like Wells Fargo (WFC:NYSE) and Bed Bath & Beyond (BBBY:NASDAQ) are portrayed as evil polluters. Even an insurance giant like Ace Ltd (ACE:NYSE) made the list. What gives?

It turns out the environmentalists are simply belching more hot air and propaganda. Sure, oil and coal companies are at the heart of a dirty industry that tampers with nature, but a finance company, an insurer, and a home furnishings retailer? Come on. Stop wasting valuable oxygen.

The environmentalists are not upset with the traditional nonpolluters above because they are blowing up mountains or tainting thousands of miles of pristine wilderness with accidental oil spills. Instead, they are moaning about the firms’ lack of a formal plan to reduce their energy consumption. Ooohhh… it’s the end of the world as we know it.

Come on, corporate executives at multi-billion companies have better things to do than make a detailed list of which light bulbs they will change and what type of insulation they will implement in their new office space. Things like soaring healthcare costs, disappearing pension funds, and a slowing economy are likely to be a bit higher on their to-do list. At least, I would hope so.

Unfortunately, there are companies dumb enough to waste their time compiling reams of reports detailing just how their environmental initiatives are going to save the whales. Don’t fall for this garbage. It is nothing more than a marketing ploy. I know because I’ve talked with the folks who help create it. They are making money hand over fist and buying big, gas-guzzling boats with it.

If you believe a document outlining pollution reductions will ultimately lead to an increase in share price, you are gravely mistaken. Plus, I’ve got a few bridges I am willing to sell to you, real cheap.

A company’s number-one goal is to maximize profits, not massage Mother Nature after a tough day. It is the job of the democrats to take those profits and save the world.

Yes, we need to fight global warming (Blogger note - if it is actually real and caused by man) and all forms of pollution. And I will be the first one to do it. But propaganda and skewed facts are not the best way to do it. Education and intelligent choices are the only way we will make progress.