Metal straws, reusable water bottles, electric cars, eco-friendly ranges at fast fashion brands - is the consumer spending on these products having a positive or at least neutral impact on the planet? Some say that consumers are responsible for over 60% of global waste and carbon emissions, while others believe that 1% of corporations are producing over 90% of this.
How can a consumer do better, without knowing if we are truly responsible for the damage done to this planet we call home? The Norwegian University of Science and Technology stated that the best thing consumers can do is buy from the right places, rather than focusing on making changes in our own lives and support more sustainable brands, rather than ones which cause harm to the earth. The issue here is that companies are unlikely to be open about the harm they cause to the environment, due to a possible loss of their reputation and therefore profit. Whereas with lifestyle changes such as diet or electricity and water usage, we can be sure of the impact we have.
So really, it is the responsibility of the consumer to support sustainable companies when possible, but it is essential to understand that we cannot always make a difference in the grand scheme of things. It is in the hands of CEOs and corporations to reduce their carbon footprint and decrease damage to the planet. In a capitalist society, consumers do not have the power to make a real change.
Written by Kate Hopwood
Artwork by Zara Masood
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