Leading article: If only Apple could be more like Puma

 

Sunday 29 April 2012 18:23 EDT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Any hope that the 21st-century, high-tech corporate giants might be more ethically aware than their older, dirtier cousins has been sadly scotched.

According to the latest ranking of more than 2,000 companies based on their social and environmental records, Google (company slogan: "don't be evil") and Apple (almost as much a lifestyle choice as a technology company) score only one grade above oil companies.

Avid Gmailers and iPad fans need not entirely despair, however. Britain's FirstGroup made it into second place on the global list despite being a bus company.

And Puma, which tops the league, was, just a few years ago, a name associated more with sweatshops than ethics. The company's transformation just shows what can be achieved with some commitment from the top. It can only be hoped that Google and Apple make similar efforts.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in