Climate change isn't so bad…

If you have a liberal bone in your body, you've probably shopped at Whole Foods at least once. And even if you don't, chances are you've eaten a meal from there. It's one of the most recognizable names to come out of the nebulous "green" movement over the years. Surprisingly enough, it's a national chain business that has played a big part in giving "green" brands a way to grow into the national consciousness.

But did you know that when you shop there, you're buying from a company whose leader doesn't really think much about climate change, who isn't convinced of the causes, and who thinks maybe global warming could end up being a good thing? He recently told Mother Jones that:

"…climate change is perfectly natural and not necessarily bad,” adding that, "most of humanity tends to flourish more when global temperatures are in a warming trend.”

That makes me stop and think. Mackey is a self-professed libertarian. My general understanding is that that means you're pro-business with liberal social leanings. That would make me think, at first, that he's going to be up in arms about climate change and using his national platform of Whole Foods to make economic statement after economic statement. Apparently, though, that's not the case.

In that same interview he talks about how he thinks of his positions when he says:

"I reject the premise that liberal and libertarian values are necessarily in conflict. In fact, I often self-identify as a 'classical liberal.' I am pro-choice, favor legalizing gay marriages, protecting our environment, enforcing strict animal welfare protection laws (I've been an ethical vegan for 10 years), marijuana legalization, having a welfare safety net for our poorest or disabled citizens, and a radically reduced defense budget and military presence around the world. However, I'm also a conscious capitalist—I believe economic freedom and entrepreneurship are the best ways to end poverty, increase prosperity, and evolve humanity upward."

It's fascinating to see this position. In the polarized political climate that we live in these days, it can be hard to consider that there are people who are successful at business, hold many progressive social opinions, work hard to protect the environment, but who also don't think of climate change as necessarily a bad thing.

What do you think?

Image courtesy of mismisimos via flickr