Sustainability

It is a little mind boggling to think that companies out there are stamping there products with the green label or advertising how sustainable there products are without acknowledging the true meaning behind it TerraChoice, an environmental marketing company, conducted a study which found that almost all of the environmental claims made for consumer products are false or misleading. "Organizations are attracted to engage in green washing for a wide range of reasons including:

• attempting to divert the attention of regulators and deflating pressure for regulatory change;
• seeking to persuade critics, such as non-government organizations, that they are both well-intentioned and have changed their ways;
• seeking to expand market share at the expense of those rivals not involved in green washing; this is especially attractive if little or no additional expenditure is required to change performance; alternatively, a company can engage in green washing in an attempt to narrow the perceived 'green' advantage of a rival;
• reducing staff turnover and making it easier to attract staff in the first place;
• making the company seem attractive for potential investors, especially those interested in ethical investment or socially responsive investment."

Wow, how deceitful can these companies be!  To falsely advertise and state that there products are green, eco-friendly, or environmentally safe just to get ahead and gain customers trust and take advantage, its just wrong.  I don't think they really know what sustainability really is.  The Hannover Principles definition of sustainability reads " The concept of sustainability has been introduced to combine concern for the well-being of the planet with continued growth and human development. Though there is much debate as to what the word actually suggests, we can put forth the definition offered by the World Commission on Environment and Development: "Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." In its original context, this definition was stated solely from the human point of view. In order to embrace the idea of a global ecology with intrinsic value, the meaning must be expanded to allow  all parts of nature to meet their own needs now and in the future."  This seems like a legitimate definition to me.  Funny how certain companies seem to not follow one bit of this definition.  Being green is the new thing, but people are so skewed on what it really means.  So when you have companies that are out there promoting there "eco-friendly" products (when there really not) you are misleading the consumers into believing this is what it means to be environmentally friendly.  It's sad, because there is a lot of people that want to help the environment by using safe products that doesn't harm our planet.  The lack of knowledge by companies and customers can really harm the environment more that helping it.  If people took the time to research sustainability and the proper ways to keep the earth as green and healthy as possible, the world would be a better place for us humans. 

http://www.mcdonough.com/principles.pdf

http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Greenwashing