Currents: notes from a capstone
The Color of Choice
You do not have to be a color expert to see that green is increasingly the hue of choice in new product designs, advertisements, and other forms of business communications. More than a simple shift in aesthetic preference, this wave of green reflects the increasing awareness of both consumers and corporations about environmental issues like climate change and the degradation of natural ecosystems. Companies of all shapes and sizes are recognizing their environmental responsibilities and attempting to minimize their destructive impacts. While many companies have taken positive steps on their own accord, consumer demand for more environmentally friendly products and sustainable systems of operation are a powerful tool for inciting change.
As consumers of many products and services, we can have a positive impact by spending wisely and making sure that our hard-earned dollars are going to companies that are trying to become more environmentally responsible. There is always the tendency to buy what is familiar or convenient, but what if we look closer? A few simple actions can help us determine which companies are making a concerted effort to protect our planet, which ones are not, and which ones are guilty of “green-washing” or making environmentally friendly claims without any supporting evidence.
One quick way to identify quality purchases is to look for eco-labels. While not all labeling programs are equal, these marks certify that a given product achieves some level of environmental responsibility. Two of the most trusted certification programs include the Forest Stewardship Council and Green Seal. The Forest Stewardship Council is an international non-profit organization that certifies wood products that have come from responsibly harvested forests. The FSC label is increasingly found on paper publications like company newsletters and annual reports. The independent, non-profit organization Green Seal has over thirty different certification programs created to promote the manufacture, purchase, and use of environmentally friendly products and services. The Green Seal mark can be found on everything from household cleaning products to hotels.
Another way to discover a company's commitment to the environment is by examining their website and looking for a sustainability or corporate social responsibility (CSR) report. Many businesses today are using these communication tools to inform consumers of their green initiatives and efforts at environmental responsibility. This information can help consumers identify greener companies and their products before even entering a store, minimizing the need to examine products individually.
By seeking out information on the environmental impact of the products we buy, consumers can support more responsible companies and force others to change their destructive ways. Purchasing greener products from more environmentally responsible companies reduces our collective impact on the planet, and helps preserve the earth's natural systems for future generations.
-Sam Moore '09, reprinted from the March 2009 Wesson Honors Program newsletter, honorificabilitudinitatibus
