As global warming accelerates, leaving devastating consequences in its wake, many have begun to question who is to bear the burden and responsibility of the collapse of the planet's ecosystems. It is evident that the Earth's temperature has experienced a drastic rise in the past century due to heavy industrialization and human activities, and some argue that government bodies need to regulate these doings in order to minimize the impact on the environment. Nonetheless, a significant number of the global population still believe taking action against climate change is everyone's obligation as we are all complicit in reinforcing the effects of the climate crisis.
There has been increasing public concern regarding environmental issues, particularly in developed and developing nations, where excessive consumerism has resulted in the aggravated deterioration of the ecological environment. Research claims that their wants and needs are being consistently serviced, consumers are considered the most prominent drain on the planet. If Earth’s history is compared to a calendar year, modern human life has existed for 37 minutes and we have used one-third of Earth’s natural resources in the last 0.2 seconds. On a geographical scale, it was discovered that larger, high-income countries consume more meat, dairy, and processed food, which leave a critical impact on land and water resources worldwide. Households in countries like the US, China and Australia are recognized as increasing their carbon footprint by tons as they are the primary consumers of fast-moving consumer goods, which are not likely to be sustainable in the long-term.
Based on their daily habits alone, consumers account for 60% of the world's greenhouse gas emissions and up to 80% of the global water usage. Consumption habits worldwide generally fail to consider the environmental impact of their actions, spurring a constant demand for material goods that come at the cost of natural resources. It also incurs the creation of excess waste that lead to the further decline of the global environment. The primary driver of these consumption habits is identified as the lack of accurate and actionable information on how to improve the environmental performance of individual households as well as the effective means to do so. Consumers are also more concerned with the now and fulfilling immediate concerns and wants, rather than eventual issues that are likely to rise in the future.
Nonetheless, an increasing number of consumers are growing more informed on the impact of their constant consumerism and have begun to adopt principles adhering to sustainable living and development. Closely related to the notions of sustainable behaviour, green consumption embodies beliefs regarding consumption that are compatible with safeguarding the environment for the present and future generations. It involves minimizing waste creation, the prevention of excess purchasing, usage of eco-friendly alternatives and an overall consciousness regarding individual consumer impact. However, while more and more consumers are embracing this lifestyle, few are willing to follow through, thus creating a gap between their intentions and actions. Additionally, though it is possible to minimize the impacts of the climate crisis via the actions of consumers, it is worth noting that their actions are primarily facilitated by the influence and operations of business organizations.
Compared to consumers, corporate organizations operate on a larger scale which would result in a greater impact on the environment. Their industrial activities and business operations enable the growing needs and wants of consumers, further promoting consumerism and materialism. In 2017, it was discovered that 70% of the global greenhouse gas emissions were produced as a result of the activities of just 100 companies, indicating how a relatively small set of fossil fuel producers could be the key drivers of systematic change on carbon emissions. Manufacturing, mining, and oil companies are identified as the highest emitters of carbon and greenhouse gases and by continuing to extract fossil fuels at the same rate as the past thirty years could have overwhelmingly destructive consequences including global food scarcity and species extinction. These organizations are also complicit in unlawful activities that destroy the natural environment such as dumping and excess waste creation. Negative environmental impacts also result from organizations that operate on a smaller scale as well; the usage of heating and air-conditioning in offices, as well as computer equipment, are all powered by non-renewable sources of energy and electricity, resulting in significant amounts of emissions being released into the global atmosphere.
Under the added pressure from governing bodies as well as consumers, many organizations today are pledging towards integrating socially responsible behaviour in their business activities and taking the initiative in minimizing the impact of the climate crisis. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) towards the natural environment is a concept of conducting business activities in strict compliance with the law, and while still making profits. It involves voluntarily take into consideration the impacts of their operations on the environment in their business decisions. Such an approach contributes to improving the quality of life and implementing the concept of sustainable development. Nonetheless, it is speculated that these efforts may only be taken at face value or an attempt to greenwash their image as to appease relevant stakeholders.
Regardless of which party is the primary driver of the planet's environmental downfall, there is a rising need for collaborative efforts by both consumers and business organizations, as well as other stakeholders, to consistently work on reducing the effects of the climate crisis and ensuring the ecological sustenance of the planet.
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