There's a quote that says it is impossible to become a billionaire ethically. What about our billion-dollar companies? As much as I want to believe the businesses that produce my beloved goods and services pay their employees liveable salaries and care about the environment, I'm not ignorant. My values of equality and sustainability are rarely reflected in the businesses I support.
But why is that? I'm sure many people have heard the term greenwashing thrown around, a PR/marketing scheme companies use to appear more eco-conscious to favor public opinion. The public cares that businesses SAY they care about the environment but rarely do we see actions (and actions speak louder than words). Unfortunately, I don't think companies can be easily convinced to take action. So that's where powerful and strict environmental laws come into place, and these companies pay large amounts of money if they do not adhere.
And we can be creative with those laws too! Like making companies responsible for collecting and recycling as much of their products as possible. We can ban companies like Apple from repeatedly coming out with new phones and chargers. We can make restaurants and grocery stores give away unused goods to those in need. There's a wide world of possibilities. We need to get moving.
Hi Katie, I love your idea of making companies responsible for putting out products that are more long-lasting in the long-term by limiting their production of "new versions".
Hey Katie, I think the problem is worse than people think! not only do large corporations rarely ever pay their fair share of taxes, but they also receive corporate welfare in some circumstances!
Hi Katie! I really like your vision! I agree that if businesses were strictly monitored and taxed, they would be more likely to follow environmental regulations
Hi Katie, I really like your idea of putting a limit on companies like Apple from putting out a certain amount of phones and chargers. This would force the companies to think about other ways to remain profitable that don't produce excess waste and make their products last longer (reducing planned obsolescence?). I also really like the idea of implementing rules about what grocery stores can do with their excess products. Maybe we can force them to track how much they throw out and tax them based on the amount, that way they are forced to think about reducing the amount of food they prepare for sale in their stores, maybe we can even extend this idea to retailers who are known for throwing out their excess product that goes 'out of season'. These are achievable goals so I love that!
Hey Katie! I love how you started your post - it is impossible to become a billionaire ethically". This is so powerful!
Thankfully people are growing tired of greenwashing and are quick to point it out and shame corporations. I believe we are slowly climbing towards a future that minimizes resource extraction in the tech industry, there is a company called Framework that builds completely repairable laptops that almost anyone can do and HP recently released a laptop made from recycled aluminum and is also very repairable. Pretty much anyone into tech praises this so other large companies may have to keep up with these advancements.
Great post! I like your ideas for the laws. And, your post made me realize that my values are not at all reflected in the businesses I support as a consumer. Seeing businesses use environment issues as a PR stunt is really heartbreaking, and I hope laws that force action will be put in place.
Hi Katie,
Great post! It was interesting to read and I like how concise you were able to keep it! Before reading your post, I've never heard of the term greenwashing. However, I understand the idea of there being an effect in the mind of a consumer when they see eco-friendly or other sustainability labels on products. For example, when I go to buy coffee, the minute I see a brand that appears to have eco-friendly packaging, commitments to sustainability and sustainability labels on the products, I become tempted to buy it even though the company may not be taking environmental action. The picture below shows what I mean about the labels!
Hi Katie! I'm glad you brought up greenwashing because although I have never heard of the term specifically, I have heard of the concept of greenwashing. I agree with you that since companies are likely not going to take action and change their ways that we have to be the change instead and force them towards that action- and as consumers we can have a bigger impact than we think! The next difficult thing, however, is actually getting the laws into place :')
I agree! Companies are taking advantage of their innocent and uneducated consumers by posing as companies that are green and care about the environment when in reality all they care about is the hefty cheque being deposited in their bank account. It is extremely hard to convince people to change, especially those who have been set in their ways and have benefited greatly for a long time.
Very interesting to learn about greenwashing and I definitely agree with your post about this sad reality.
I also heard the term Greenwashing for the first time, and I probably understood what it meant, but I never thought there was a specific term for it.
In fact, the reality is very ironic, most people study hard in order to be able to go to bigger and more advanced companies, but how many people before us with enthusiasm and indignation, are down on their knees in income and countless burdens above it?
It is my first time hearing the word greenwashing. At present, it is common to see what this company did for eco-friendly activities if you searched the introduction of some companies, but these activities may be exaggerated. I hope greenwashing is not just a PR or marketing scheme.