

The current bipartisanship on Capitol Hill is paralyzing the government, with many political pundits predicting that not much will get done in the next two years.

Even before this current Congress convened, many environmental initiatives were ignored or stalled, such as the U.S. climate bill.

Both the United Nations Climate Change Conferences in Copenhagen in 2009 and in Cancun in 2010 had disappointing results. Don't hold your breath waiting for Congress or international leaders to agree on plans to improve the health of the planet's environment.

Environmental groups often find themselves at odds with politicians and industry. The value of clean air, soil and water is far too often disregarded when corporations are making their business plans.

Sometimes our elected officials pander to special interests and ignore devastating environment problems, such as mountaintop removal coal mining.

Although sometimes antagonistic, environmental groups are an important check and balance in helping to keep businesses and government officials trustworthy and responsible.

In this confrontational climate, collaboration to solve a problem is a breath of fresh air. The nonprofit Environmental Defense Fund has been on the forefront of positive environmental change for decades by forming partnerships with various industry leaders to solve problems.

These unlikely partnerships have resulted in major companies implementing sustainable business practices. What makes business leaders listen is that these environmentally friendly practices also improve the companies' bottom lines.

In 1990, the EDF worked with McDonalds to eliminate 150,000 tons of packaging waste over 10 years. EDF's goal is to change whole industries by working with businesses that are leaders in their field. For example, when McDonalds reduced its packaging waste, other fast-food restaurants followed suit.

EDF is working with Walmart to eliminate 20 million metric tons of greenhouse gas pollution by 2015. Walmart is working toward using 100 percent renewable energy, creating zero waste and establishing new environmental standards for the company and its 100,000 suppliers. To maintain its objectivity, EDF does not accept funding from its corporate partners.

Positive steps forward –– beyond the rhetoric –– can help solve some big environmental problems.

For more on the EDF and its programs, visit www.edf.org.

Anne Mazar is an environmental advocate and a member of the Mendon Land Use Committee in Massachusetts.