An ERA of Dismantling Regulations
If I’m being honest, the past month has been profoundly difficult for me. Watching while bedrock regulations that protect our water, air, and the fundamental tenets of a just society are dismantled and tossed in the garbage heap along with the people whose work is to implement them feels like watching a firing squad. The casualties are people I know, communities I love, and a future I want to live in.
With Trump back in power and Musk leading the charge through the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), governmental oversight is being stripped away at record speed. Environmental protections, labor laws, consumer safety measures—you name it, and it’s probably being lined up to face the firing squad.
However, sustainability and ESG are not regulations that can easily be lined up for execution. Initially, ESG was the acronym used by the investment community to signify sustainability. At its inception, it included the tagline, “Who Cares Wins". This aspirational goal reflected the reality that the health of our global economy depends on a sustainable planet and a healthy society. What you name it isn’t why it works; it works because of the foundational truth it rests upon.
Yet those in power today have conveniently forgotten the truth that their wealth, power, and survival are entirely dependent on other people and the planet. Whether we like it or not—and I happen to like it—we need each other to survive. (Source)
And now, as decades-old regulations are stripped away, we’re about to see which corporations truly live up to their values and principles. The question now isn’t just about what businesses will do—it’s also about what we, as consumers, employees, and investors, will tolerate: a test for democracy, ESG, and sustainability.
What Could It Look Like If No One’s Watching?
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), created to protect consumers from financial exploitation, has been gutted. No oversight means higher fees, deceptive loans, and fewer protections against fraud. (Source)
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been stripped down, giving corporations a free pass to pollute—and the worst consequences will land on the communities already struggling the most. (Source)
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has been weakened, making workplaces less safe, especially in industries like construction, manufacturing, and healthcare. (Source)
Google's “Don’t Be Evil” Was Just a Slogan
For years, Google claimed to stand for something greater than profit. Their former motto, "Don’t Be Evil," suggested that ethics were important. However, as Google expanded, that promise began to fade. By 2018, the phrase was removed from their code of conduct. Now, in 2025, Alphabet has officially scrapped its pledge not to use AI for weapons. What began as a company that professed to be different has turned into just another corporate giant prioritizing power and profit over principle. Ethics weren’t an unwavering value—they were merely effective branding, discarded when it became inconvenient. This is just one example of a company failing to live up to its words. (Source, Source)
Who's Who - Watch What They Do, Not What They Say
If you pay attention, the signs are there.
✅ Transparency in Reporting – Ethical companies will keep disclosing their impact, even when no one makes them. If a company suddenly stops reporting, that’s a red flag.
✅ Supply Chain & Labor Practices – Ethical companies maintain worker protections and fair labor practices even when the law doesn’t force them to. If you see mass layoffs, factory accidents, or employee walkouts, it’s a sign of exploitation.
✅ Regional Discrepancies – Many companies behave differently depending on regulations in each country. If they uphold strict environmental standards in Europe but cut corners in the U.S., they’re exploiting deregulation.
✅ Consumer Treatment & Pricing Shifts – Financial deregulation allows companies to quietly increase fees, tighten refund policies, and roll back consumer protections. Look for changes in terms of service, warranties, and pricing structures.
✅ Which CEOs Speak Up? – Companies that believe in ethical practices will be vocal about it. If leadership is silent on key issues, or worse—actively lobbying for more deregulation, it’s clear where their priorities lie.
What Can You Do About It?
Public accountability becomes even more important as regulations are removed and agencies gutted.
1. Pay Attention to Corporate Actions
Don’t just read marketing and PR statements—watch what companies actually do.
Follow independent watchdog groups tracking corporate behavior.
Compare how companies operate in different regions—do they maintain high standards abroad but cut corners in the U.S.?
2. Support Companies That Uphold Their Values
Spend your money wisely. Buy from companies that prove they stand for something.
Pull support from bad actors. Companies who only care about one thing—their bottom line.
3. Hold Leadership Accountable
Talk about it. Share what you see—companies fear bad press.
If you’re an employee, push back. Workers have more power than they realize.
Investors demand transparency. Where are ESG funds going? Who is just using it as a buzzword? Which ESG rating agencies are using real and accurate data and holding companies up to scrutiny, and which are just giving them a pass?
What’s Your Take?
Have you noticed which companies are rolling back their commitments and which are staying the course? Drop a comment, and let’s talk.
Comments