Something many of us don't regularly think about concerns something the world needs to operate day in and day out -- light. Although there is plenty of natural sunshine that covers the planet, the need for indoor lighting for homes, businesses, factories and warehouses remains a need and will never go away.

How about trying to save on all that energy use? Global retailer Wal-Mart ,Inc. (NYSE:WMT) wants to do its part (however symbolic) by using more energy-efficient trucks and stores in many areas. It's hard to argue that Wal-Mart is not doing good for the environment here, even as those efforts probably pale in comparison to the environmental damage Wal-Mart does in some areas.

In addition to that, the retailer seems to now be pushing sales of fluorescent lighting in an effort to get rid of the inefficient incandescent light bulbs that customers usually buy. Those types of bulbs rarely need replacing and use way less energy than traditional bulbs. Of course, Wal-Mart wants to capture those sales -- but then customers may not ever be back to replace the bulbs for a decade or so.