Soil Not Oil: Environmental Justice In A Time Of Climate Change

Corporate reconstruction of green – in the 1990’s we saw the reconstruction of the term “green” by corporations as they flooded the airwaves

The rise of green products and the want of consumers to become more environmentally friendly has been increasing. In 10 Green Marketing Milestones, the reading mentioned how the “rise of the Toyota Prius: It may not have saved the world, but at 1 million cumulative vehicle sales the Prius became the predominant fuel-efficient hybrid vehicle” (Neff 2). This is an example of how companies are actually wanting to go green in order to make more profit and rise above their competitors. Going off the Prius example, it was also mentioned how Hummer cars, which use an excess amount of fuel, sales have plummeted. This was because this model no longer appealed to the consumers and General Motor’s had to discontinue the model and even went bankrupt. This sale tactic works and is so successful because the consumer’s mindset have evolved to seek things that are better for the environment. Many would prefer Toyota over General Motor because of their company’s reputation with being green. Although this might not work for all companies, but for some, they have become more successful than their competitors by going green and so, convincing more and more to

As more and more people are aware of environmental problems which our human being are facing, most people nowadays do shopping with some degree of morality in mind, taking social or environmental issues into consideration as they select from a range of product or services. Therefore, the concept of

In response to Shiva’s “Soil, Not Oil” on page 377, from “Reduction seems to have become …… that offers the solution,” she argues humans over consumption and dependence on fossil fuels are some of the causes of climate change. She expresses her feelings and builds her arguments by using statistics to show the increased level of carbon in the atmosphere, parallelism to emphasize the fact that carbon exists everywhere, and formal tone, scholarly diction, as well as declarative syntax to portray she is knowledgeable in addressing the problems of increasing use of fossil carbon.

Accordingly, a store’s image is affected by store brands and loyalty to a store is increased by a store brands’ quality (Kremer & Viot, 2012). In addition, stores must maintain a positive store image in consumers’ minds in order to decrease the perceived risks of store brands (Delgado-Ballester, Hernandez-Espallardo, & Rodriguez-Orejuela, 2014). In order to increase image and loyalty among consumers and elevate the opinion of its store brands, Target could expand its offerings by adding a line of green products (Kotler & Armstrong, 2014, p. 264). Florence Kremer and Catherine Viot determined, “when consumers notice that store brands are committed to respecting the environment or satisfying their needs, the retailer's image is improved” (Kremer & Viot, 2012). Green, natural, ecological, ethical, fairtrade, and organic sums up the growing trend in products such as household cleaners, personal care products, baby products and even pet products.

In the article “Are You Being Green Washed?” Robbins (2008) states the image of “greenwashing” which is that numerous number of companies promote their services and their products as environmentally friendly but in reality it is harmful for the environment. The author illustrates that by giving some example of companies that claim they are eco- friendly such as Palm oil and Rayon. He states the impacts of such claim on the environment and consumers in some ways. However, in order to protect the environment form the negative impacts of globalization and consumerism, government and individual must make a joint effort by enact laws and educate people and companies about the impacts of such problem.

Companies today are heavily influenced by the demands of customers and stakeholders. Corporate social responsibility (CSR) refers to the social and environmental responsibility policies and practices developed by an organization to increase its positive influence and reduce its negative activity towards society (Parks, 2008). The business approach and corporate philosophy of an organization is easily altered due to economic pressures, technological improvement and stakeholder needs and demands. "Going green" or being eco-friendly is one such demand. Environmental and sustainability concerns originate most often from governments, consumer activists, and the general public (Schlosser, 2008). Thus, organizations must implement sustainability into daily practices. In addition, sustainability alters the nature of competition and drives companies to think differently about products, processes, and technologies (Parks, 2008).

Consumerism often causes people to identify with a product or brand on a personal level. Certain products have come to represent different levels of society, with swankier products like muscle cars indicating high class and such products as generic “store brand” shampoo indicating low class. People feel that they have relationships with their favorite brands and products and define themselves by what they buy and own. The mass production of cheap products uses precious fossil fuels at an alarming rate. This has an obvious negative impact on the environment.

The losses, however, are felt not only by the earth that produces them, but also the businesses that purchase them. As part of a growing sense of eco-consciousness in the minds of consumers, the sustainability movement has provided opportunities for business to mend their practices. Companies like Loblaw Companies Ltd. in Canada and InterMarché, a French equivalent, are both acting on the up-and-coming consumer base.

An international research survey conducted by the National Geographic in 2014 measured and monitored consumer progress towards environmentally sustainable consumption with its Greendex report, to produce a quantitative study of consumer behavior and material lifestyles (National Geographic 5). The findings were used to rank 18 countries in order from most to least sustainable; The United States was ranked the least sustainable (6). The study also found that they were the “least likely to feel guilty about the impact the had on the environment” (6). This study demonstrates that consumers’ reckless behavior also contributes to their inability to reflect on the damage they are making on the environment. Julia B. Corbett, author of Communicating Nature, a thought provoking scholarly book, suggests that the lack of remorse is due, first and foremost, to the

Additionally, on a socio-cultural level, many consumers feel that restaurants partaking in green initiatives and operations are doing their part to not only help sustain the earth but also to conserving natural resources (Hu, Parsa & Self, 2010). “Going green” is not simply a trend in the food service industry but around the world and in all forms of business. Corporate companies consider “going green” as a sensible business strategy in building recognition for corporate social responsibility among consumers concerned with environmental conservation efforts. Lastly, technological initiatives such as Energy Star appliances (dishwashers, refrigerators, ice machines, etc.) and faucets that use less water must also be analyzed in their ecological conservation capability and weighed against their financial costs (University of Notre Dame, 2014).

Apple Incorporated understands that climate change is a huge global issue that the world faces and knows that change has to start somewhere, so they are taking rigorous steps to measure their environmental impact. For more than two decades, Apple has gone to great lengths to try and minimize their impact that they and their products have on the environment. Apple measures their carbon footprint using a comprehensive product life cycle analysis (Jackson, 2014). Apple computes this analysis report with the help of a digital media resource, the World Resource Institute (WRI)/World Business Council for Sustainable Developments (WBCSD) Greenhouse Gas Protocol, which provides various calculation tools and a database for a wide range of professional companies just like Apple (Jackson, 2014). Apple would not successfully be able to acquire such a detailed calculations report of their carbon emissions without the assistance of the digital media database of the World Resource Institute (WRI)/World Business Council for Sustainable Developments

The economy today runs on an antiquated ritual of exploiting, plundering, devastation, and manipulation of land for material wealth, profiting the wealthy and condemning the poor. This mindset is no more sophisticated than feudalism, a system so bad it had to be outlawed along with witchcraft. The idea that exploitation of land is justified has brought plastics to the ocean and leveled rainforests. Large corporations have grown larger by manufacturing and production, depleting the planet’s resources in the process. Now, companies must make a combined effort to put the environment first, before profit. Because of their harmful practices, consumers have the right to know where products come from, how they’re made, and the impact on the environment. Furthermore, it is the responsibility of the large corporations to change their harmful practices, to make strides towards ending climate change and use clean, sustainable methods.

On your weekly trip to the supermarket it’s easy to find a number of products, from coffee to dishwashing soap, that flaunt their green attributes” (American Psychological Association, 2010). With such rumors of greenwashing, consumers are more confused than ever. However, some consumers know the tricks and are coming to find that there are companies whose marketing practices are legit, not exaggerated or deceiving. APA also found that, “people are willing to spend more of their hard-earned green on green products, according to a 2008 survey of 9,000 adults performed by the global business firm Boston Consulting Group” (American Psychological Association, 2010). Consumers who are willing to pay more for a product or service are assuming that they are purchasing a healthier, safer, and better quality product or service for the environment.

Sunchips provides not only a “healthier” chip but also uses renewable energy and a biodegradable bag and encourages consumers to join their eco movement. Other companies, such as Pepsi and Volkswagen, are joining in too. The “Refresh Everything” project launched by the major soda chain is attempting to make its product more environmentally friendly, and Volkswagen is taking even bigger strides with its movement, “The Fun Theory,” which encourages customers to be green while making the process fun (Park 1). Other major corporations jumping on the green bandwagon include Hewlett Packard, which boasts its recycling efforts and energy efficiency, and Ben and Jerry’s with its effort to “Lick Global Warming” and employ other eco-conscious practices (Rottkamp 1). While these strategies have shed light on being friendly to our planet, the fact remains that the large portion of our population simply is not embracing it.