The danger of exposing academia and government to free enterprise is that the former will corrupt the latter. “Working with Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) in Atlanta, Ford is continuing to develop innovative processes that will enable the company to maintain its commitment to reducing global water usage,” PR Newswire reports. “From 2000 to 2008, Ford reduced its global water use by 56 percent – or 9.5 billion gallons – as part of its goal to minimize the environmental impact of its facilities around the world.”
“Economic development experts have stressed that water scarcity is quickly becoming a high-priority global issue and Ford is addressing the issue as part of its broad global sustainability program to reduce its environmental footprint.”
“Ford also is working with George Washington University in Washington, D.C. on human rights issues in markets where the company is looking to expand its global operations. George Washington is helping Ford determine the best business strategies for working with governments and other businesses in developing countries where raw materials are being collected for use in vehicle technology components.”
Of course, it will also give them an edge on less-funded competition which can’t meet regulatory burdens the way that Ford can.
Malcolm A. Kline is the Executive Director of Accuracy in Academia.
If you would like to comment on this article, e-mail mal.kline@academia.org
