In a capitalist empire like the USA, sustainability is often not highly prioritized. Initiatives that promote sustainability in the United States are few, and seldom do they make a considerable impact on the environment.

The Obama administration has been pushing an energy loan program that lends money to companies with sustainable business strategies and innovative ideas, such as Tesla Motors.

Tesla Motors Inc. is currently in the process of producing the “Model S”, a luxury car running solely on electricity that starts at $57,400. Concerns have been raised involving the company’s production process as orders of the new Model S are being delayed.

Peter Eavis of the New York Times writes that, “Tesla is now entering a critical phase,” as the company has taken out a loan of $465 million and the government, due to current forecasts of the company, have informed Tesla that early repayment must begin in October.

Is a company like Tesla fit to succeed in the current economic climate?

Although Tesla Motors vehicles are part of a niche market, a high end, stylish, and solely electric car company has yet to exist, giving them little competition. Should Tesla Motors market themselves correctly and push through these tough economic times, they may eventually succeed and thrive.

Often consumers purchase clothing produced in third world nations, considering the cheaper price. Therefore the question must be answered, why are these clothes so inexpensive?

According to the article by Serajul Quadir and Ruma Paul (http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/international-business/asian-pacific-business/unrest-threatens-bangladeshs-19-billion-clothing-industry/article4528109/) workers are unhappy with conditions in factories, earning about 51 USD per month. Along with unfair pay, “working conditions and safety standards are poor, employees and some analysts say.”

Second only to China, the textiles sector in Bangladesh is a $19-billion industry, making up “80 per cent of the country’s $24-billion in annual exports.” In such a large industry it is common that employees are treated unfairly. This unrest need be resolved before large corporations decide to take their business elsewhere. The U.S. ambassador to Bangladesh, Dan Mozena described, “Many companies’ representatives told me about their concerns about buying from Bangladesh.” The CEO of H&M Karl-Johan Persson met with the Prime Minister of Bangladesh and, “called for increasing the minimum wage and also for annual wage reviews for workers in the country’s textile industry.”

Poor ethics has created great unrest in the Bangladeshi textile industry. Improving overall working conditions is the only way to regain confidence from international investors and restore order among the employees.

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