A Slimy Green Sheen

“Green” is everywhere these days. As the environmental revolution gains momentum, everyone from bottled water companies to McDonalds seems to be scrambling onto the “eco-bandwagon.”

But how can companies like these—who’s industries are inherently unsustainable—claim to be legitimately good for the Earth, much less our future?

They can’t.  It’s called ‘greenwashing’—the act of misleading consumers regarding the environmental practices of a company or the environmental benefits of a product or service.

Of course, it’s hard to be an informed consumer in our society; from dusk till dawn, we’re bombarded with advertisements, jingles and every imaginable plea to consume, to buy and to indulge. As “sustainable” goods become more popular with consumers, companies (most often multinational corporations) prefer to simply say they’re eco-friendly.

Unfortunately, not everyone can be truly sustainable. Some things just aren’t green—“clean” coal just isn’t, the same goes for Big Oil or the auto industry or the fast food.

But their actions have real consequences, and it’s time these companies spent more time and money cleaning up their act, instead of their image. And it’s time for each of us to take a closer look at what we’re buying and who we’re supporting.

People before profits!

-Alex