James Murdoch Plans Big Bets on Sustainable Businesses

I applaud James Murdoch's move. It must've been hard to be progressive when his father's empire is built on regression and fake news. Just his last name only is enough to evoke hateful looks from the liberal side of the crowds. I sure hope his endeavor (to better the environment) to atone his father's sins will be successful.

This is some good news, welcome at such a gloomy time, including a couple of elements I keep hearing are impossible. I’m told that it’s not feasible to try to turn conservatives around on climate change. Yet, here’s a key family member from a very conservative media empire going way off-message. His activities and investments cover several areas, including finance. He shows more than just hints of an ethic (something else seen as ridiculous), including interest in serious ecological research, something which most likely has a negative ROI. I imagine digging deeper there are issues. The packaging for bottled water, for instance. Hopefully, this Murdoch will keep evolving. There is always more to do and conventional wisdoms to shatter. This is further evidence of a fundamentally new way to do business. Plus, in the last couple of days there have been other Times articles on a number of aspects of business and sustainability, even if some of the companies mentioned are more motivated by adapting to threats to their existing business models. This is unprecedented in The Times. If anyone is sensing an opportunity for large scale economic greening, beyond even the usual suspects such as solar and wind, google me. That especially means Democratic candidates and Green New Deal advocates, who have been missing much of this. If he can ever bring his family around, so much the better. But let’s begin to recognize and enjoy—and build on, some good news, even the “impossible” elements.

At least one Murdoch has his head on straight.

Try as he will there’s no way he can offset the damage being done by his daddy and his brother. Its not merely the cynical use of climate denial and the overt support of reactionary conservatives here and in Britain and Australia. Its the overall lies and propaganda that make up the majority of the fake news peddled by Fox and the other Murdoch properties. Robert Murdoch doesn’t actually “believe” the garbage that his yellow journalists peddle, it’s simply a means to gain influence and power. Like the Republican Party that Fox & Murdoch shills for, power is the only goal and wealth and influence the only payoff.

As long as alternative energy sources and products have to make a profit, little will be done. I read the other day that fossil fuel companies are spending billions on carbon capture technology. Those same billions could be spent on giant solar arrays, solar for homes and buildings and battery technology. The latter would help us all now. New coal is being dug and burned all over the world. Why is that? Wealth addicts are doing just fine for now. The focus on biodegradable plastic is a good idea but does little to reduce carbon emissions. I use as little plastic and energy as possible but I don't live on a coast where the ocean is the local garbage dump. The so-called richest and greatest country on earth needs to change that happy motto or start doing something about global heating and inequality.

Once Rupert Murdoch dies, James is the only hope for that conservative empire to reverse course and become moderate by firing the neocon nuts (like Hannity), accept climate change, and oppose dictators like Trump. That will be a massive job but I hope it starts soon.

Good for you James.

Evil and hypocritical.

Is this a joke?

Wonderful news! This is what great green leadership looks like...

A Murdoch with a conscience! There is hope.

How nice it would have been if he had used his questionable news outlets to promote SUSTAINABLE DEMOCRACY.

Finally someone honorable and realistic in the Murdoch family.

Glad to see some of the Murdoch media money that has caused so much damage in the world being put to good use.

After seeing Australia burn so badly, this is how they're trying to get ahead of the issue that they denied lock, stock and barrel - they would do us all aa favor if they pulled the plug on Fox News or rooted out the scoundrels that are spinning American conservatives to their guns and bibles.

James Murdock is like the Sackler family trying to rebrand their mess of a reputation.

His father is the reason we have trump, I wish he could do more.

Dissolvable whiskey pods will really help climate change.

Encouraging more single use, even if the containers are compostable or biodegradable, isn’t going to do anything to combat climate change. When will someone, anyone, please start talking about real solutions like funding and supporting massive improvement and expansions to public transit to stop the biggest issue in climate change - auto emissions? This guy doesn’t deserve kudos like this for such small minded ideas.

What would really help both the ecological and political environment would be if James could get his father declared incompetent. Rupert Murdoch has almost singlehandedly polluted the media and political and social fabric of large chunks of the world, and it will take decades to undo the harm he's done, if we ever do.

LOL Non plastic water bottles. I am dating myself but in MY Day...............we used a thermos. Actually, my husband and I carry around metal cups with lids and metal water bottles that are all sold at Costco, Walmart, Target, etc. People discipline yourselves to bring your beverage with you or bring a cup to use instead of throwing one more thing away. It's just not that difficult! It's a small way to love the world.

The word sustainable is the present day ubiquity in all corporate blurbs. Do they really believe in sustainability or just how cool and enriching the word seems to be at the moment? The Saudis made some sustainable statements as well, about a year ago and, relative to petroleum, the direction they were indicating going regarding oil was...MORE! Which does bring to mind this quote about when it pays to be ubiquitous: “The art of statesmanship is to foresee the inevitable and to expedite its occurrence.“ Charles Maurice de Talleyrand-Périgord (1754-1838)

How convenient for a family to have the ability to hedge its bets and have PR faces on both sides of the issue. Of course, it’s probably not so simple as this, or to be a Murdoch. But when your wealth transcends economies, and assets can literally destroy both political systems and the planet at large... Maybe it’s time to just shut them down entirely, since “the family” really speaks out of both sides of its mouth at the same time, in actions as well as words.

Nice to see the "Number 1 Boy" doing positive things for the environment