Special issue on: Accounting for global warming

This paper opens a debate, in the accounting literature, on global warming. This debate began, in earnest, in the 1970's, with the Club of Rome's alert that we were depleting non-renewable resources. Since then, depletion rates have increased—unabated. However a recently convergence of events—tsunami threats, increased cyclone, hurricane and tornado activity, Katrina, ice cap melt, Sky-rocketing oil prices, decline in the population of polar bears, etc.—are forcing the issue into public consciousness. The primary vehicles for accelerating this crisis are corporations, markets, and governments. The accountability of these entities is a growing concern. While they window-dress their practices, the real effects of their conduct is likely to be disastrous. Culpability does not stop there. Accounting researchers and teachers perpetuate indifference as long as the neglect this issue of “accountability”.