Green Practices: A Comparative Study Between Southeast Asia and the United States

Abstract

When societies and companies adopt green habits and practices; they fulfil some aspects of socially responsibility. In this paper, the researchers examine and contrast the efforts to be green made in both the United States and in the Southeast Asian countries of Brunei, Singapore, China, and Malaysia. Because of differing government roles, the United States needs a greater commitment and more action by governments and business rather than merely talk; in Asia, there is a definite need for governments to do more in terms of creating greater awareness as well as educating the public on sustainability. The paper argues that in America the financial “bottom line” is paramount, with many businesses and the Republican party arguing the primacy of economics before all else. The paper also seeks to argue that governments in Asia need to tap what Asia inherently has; that is, its green philosophies and values that encourage green habits and practices.