Which is greener: BP or the Statue of Liberty?

Notice how just about every company is going sustainable these days? Perhaps, though, some of them should be focusing on another shade of green: tarnish. As in their already tarnished brands. Can a new eco-friendly image overcome years of eco-neglect? Many leading energy and automotive companies are anxious to find out.

BP is going "beyond petroleum" on one hand, yet they're still reeling from the aftermath of a massive oil spill not too long ago. And GM just announced the Hummer HX flex-fuel "hybrid" at this year's Detroit Auto Show. Huh? Can anyone say oxymoron of jumbo shrimp proportions?

Only time will tell if green marketing will translate into greenbacks. However, one thing is becoming crystal clear. Companies must realize that customers want to decrease their environmental impact with what they buy or consume. Today's corporation must listen or become irrelevant. Remember, it wasn't too long ago that American auto executives agreed, "People are more concerned about the number of cup holders in their cars than they are about the miles per gallon."

My, how the times have changed.