Bottom Quote by Ray Anderson
“We need an honest bottom line. Today that bottom line is vastly subsidized. If anyone of us were paying the full cost of oil our bottom lines would be very different. If you internalize the cost of oil, look at the cost of the war in the Middle East or the cost of global warming for future generations, if you internalize those external costs and what you pay, that bottom line would look very different, what ever business you are in.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: 2005 Global Climate Summit, 2005
Recognizes that hidden environmental and geopolitical costs make true profitability appear lower than reported figures
In simple terms: Hidden costs change true profit
Key Takeaway
Consider full costs in decisions
Themes
sustainability
economics
ethics
Mood
concerned
thoughtful
Type
ethical
analytical
When to use this quote
- business planning
- policy making
- investment analysis
Key Concepts
externalities
true cost accounting
Questions to Reflect On
- How would your pricing change if you included environmental impacts?
- What policies could internalize these costs?
A Different Perspective
Ignoring externalities leads to unsustainable practices
