Who really is Green?
Capitalism in America has forever changed environmentalism. The only sense of environmentalism that some people get is what is coming from the television with the advertisements and political campaigns that push the green lifestyle. This group of Americans will continue to believe that they are helping the environment by buying from the big-name companies that sell "ecofriendly" products and vote for representatives who will do their best to help the environment.
There are, however, other groups of Americans who know a little more than the first group. They realize that greenwashing is common in the capitalist market of the United States but they have a hard time telling who is truly environmentally conscious or who is just trying to keep their business marketable.
Lastly, of course, there is another group of Americans who have most likely stemmed from the beginning of the environmental movement in the 1960s. They do not trust the competitive nature of the companies and they do not give in to the greenwashing. But if we are not part of this still-counterculture group, how do we know who or what is really green?
There are, however, other groups of Americans who know a little more than the first group. They realize that greenwashing is common in the capitalist market of the United States but they have a hard time telling who is truly environmentally conscious or who is just trying to keep their business marketable.
Lastly, of course, there is another group of Americans who have most likely stemmed from the beginning of the environmental movement in the 1960s. They do not trust the competitive nature of the companies and they do not give in to the greenwashing. But if we are not part of this still-counterculture group, how do we know who or what is really green?
Ways Companies Greenwash1. Words like “natural,” “green,” “eco,” “nontoxic,” and even "biodegradable” don’t always mean anything on their own. These words are not regulated and can easily be placed on a product to sway opinions of consumers.
2. More natural designs have started to appear in many products but just by making them look more natural doesn’t mean they are any better for your body or the earth. 3. Companies that claim to be ecofriendly often leave off information on their packaging, without leaving a website to justify. 4. Companies make big promises that usually don’t pan out. Biodegradable diapers won’t do much good if they are in a landfill full of other garbage. Companies just want to ease our minds and make us feel like we have a direct impact on the greening of the environment (MSNBC.com). |
Taking environmentalism into Our Own Hands
1. Many government seals like Energy Star (for electronics and appliances), the USDA Organic Seal (on food and cosmetics), the Green Seal (on household cleaning products), and the Forest Stewardship Council logo (for wood and paper products).
2. They also say to think about how you buy and not just what you buy. Not only you should think about buying green products but there are other ways to lessen our effects on environment. Buying in bulk can reduce individual packaging. Buying a product that is recyclable will only help if you actually recycle it. Buy durable products instead of disposables like reusable mugs and rechargeable batteries. Also, you should make sure you actually need the item in question.
3. The companies like BP and Ford often advertise with happy children and green trees, but these types of industries (Oil and Car) are damaging the environment just by existing. Even though it is great that they are slowly moving toward environmentalism, they cannot negate the problems they are causing.
4. Though sometimes we need to make a decision while standing in the aisle, the bigger purchases in our life should be taken more seriously and deserve the effort of research. Sites like GreenerChoices.org, GreenerCars.org, and the Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool can help make decisions easier. For smaller items, sites like Environmental Working Group and Responsible Purchasing Network are full of information about small items like food and cosmetics (MSNBC.com).
2. They also say to think about how you buy and not just what you buy. Not only you should think about buying green products but there are other ways to lessen our effects on environment. Buying in bulk can reduce individual packaging. Buying a product that is recyclable will only help if you actually recycle it. Buy durable products instead of disposables like reusable mugs and rechargeable batteries. Also, you should make sure you actually need the item in question.
3. The companies like BP and Ford often advertise with happy children and green trees, but these types of industries (Oil and Car) are damaging the environment just by existing. Even though it is great that they are slowly moving toward environmentalism, they cannot negate the problems they are causing.
4. Though sometimes we need to make a decision while standing in the aisle, the bigger purchases in our life should be taken more seriously and deserve the effort of research. Sites like GreenerChoices.org, GreenerCars.org, and the Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool can help make decisions easier. For smaller items, sites like Environmental Working Group and Responsible Purchasing Network are full of information about small items like food and cosmetics (MSNBC.com).
Good Housekeeping creates a seal that will help consumers pick products that are truly green Video 13
The Greenpeace Organization has created a website dedicated to greenwash. Greenpeace states "StopGreenwash.org continues our thirty-five year track record of monitoring corporate malfeasance, confronting polluters, and stopping environmental crimes whenever and wherever they occur. Now, using the Internet, we will confront deceptive Greenwashing campaigns, engage companies in debate, and give consumers and activists and lawmakers the information and tools they need to confront corporate deception, to look beneath this green veneer and hold corporations accountable for the impacts their core business decisions and investments are having on our planet.
At the same time, we will push to reform advertising standards and corporate codes of conduct (including legislative and litigated solutions where possible), so that we can help bring an end to the practice of greenwashing. It is our hope that the end result will be fewer corporations pretending to act and more taking action, in the process making the world a safer, greener, and ultimately better place."
At the same time, we will push to reform advertising standards and corporate codes of conduct (including legislative and litigated solutions where possible), so that we can help bring an end to the practice of greenwashing. It is our hope that the end result will be fewer corporations pretending to act and more taking action, in the process making the world a safer, greener, and ultimately better place."
Still Fighting to Be Green
Environmentalism might be a more mainstream topic but the true environmentalists, the ones who are passionate about the earth, not just because it is a fad, are still on the outside. They still struggle to live “green,” though unlike the 60s and 70s when people would have to come up with their own green ideas, today people have to weed through the untrue facts and products to get to the environmentalism that will actually benefit earth. It will take time and effort to learn to shop for the environment, but we have more resources at our disposal today to be able to help the earth.