By: patagonia

patagonia — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 05:13:50 +0000

I also find the green washing issue very interesting, and your comments made me think of a related issue; transparency in environmental advertising and labeling. When it comes to eco-labels on products or environmental- friendly food guides you really need to do your own research to see what is sustainable and what is not. For example, the Seafood Choice Guide provides a list of fish and seafood that are environmentally sustainable and therefore good consumer choices. However, certain fish (namely tuna, swordfish and other large species with decreasing wild populations) and certain catch methods (aquaculture, trawl, etc.) are included in the Seafood Guide, which are not always sustainable. The consumer needs to be critical and curious; we need to take some responsibility and ask important questions such as: How is this eco-label or sustainability guide funded? Are all forms of aquaculture or logging, etc. sustainable? Is this an international or country –wide or company-wide labeling system? It is unfortunate that this is the case, that there is not always accountability in accounting, but it is the truth. However, I do have faith in the eco-labeling movement, and there examples of well established, transparent and universally accepted labels. The Fair-Trade label especially comes to mind, as it incorporates environmental sustainability into conditions of fair labor and trade. It is a growing movement, one that needs to be kept on track by accountability, transparency and curious, resourceful consumers.

Comments on: Reflection: Are We Seeing Green but Ending up in the Red

By: patagonia