If you haven't noticed, it's abnormally hot outside. For several weeks, much of the southern United States has been under a severe heat wave, with record temperatures and heat indexes of 110 degrees or more. Making matters worse is a cranky "heat dome" that refuses to lift.

Along with the increasing temperatures, we've seen a wave of discussions about the causes of such brutal heat, with many pointing to climate change as the culprit. Environmental activists are calling on us to reduce our carbon footprint and help protect our planet. And most consumers are familiar with the usual remedies: driving less, recycling, and reducing our use of plastics.

But consumers have become increasingly aware of how their purchasing decisions also affect the environment and their community. Some of them choose to shop with companies who share this concern, ditching those that don't consider how their decisions affect their communities and the planet as a whole. As a result, some companies have responded with comprehensive environmental, social, and governance (ESG) policies, detailing and measuring the sustainability of their operations.