Being a Conscious Consumer is Not Enough

I think that conscious consumerism is currently ineffective in solving global conditions. An argument for this position that I think is strong is that only the rich and educated are participating in this movement; the majority of Americans cannot afford and do not have access to organic groceries or Reformation dresses, nor have they been informed on how to shop “sustainably.” Low-income individuals who do not participate in conscious consumerism may even have a smaller carbon footprint as they make fewer appliance, clothing, food purchases than wealthier individuals. Sustainable brands may use misleading marketing tactics to convince consumers that they are saving the environment by buying their product when there are more effective methods to helping global conditions.

I believe that more effective ways to solve climate change than buying sustainable goods are to donate to environmental organizations, supporting politicians working on environmental policies, and reducing our carbon footprint by installing energy-efficient appliances or using public transportation.

I also realize that nothing is 100% sustainable. The purchase of a metal straw also has negative environmental impacts. Metal mining, steel production, the transportation of straws from the factory to the consumer are processes that emit CO2. A clothing item made of recycled Additionally, consumers pushing companies to produce greener products also created the issue of “greenwashing” in which companies use broad labels such as “greener alternative” or “eco friendly” without using evidence to support that claim.

Furthermore, even when more people start to shop sustainably, it does not decrease the production of unsustainable goods, energy use, and pollution. With our rate of economic growth, energy usage is still on the rise even when more people are choosing to buy environmentally friendly goods.

A counterargument I find convincing is that with current trends in consumer behavior, more brands are thinking about ways to create more sustainable products in order to expand their market or retain customers. And many people who can afford to buy green products are also doing other things such as buying second-hand goods and using energy-efficient appliances. There are also many progressive politicians who are receiving support from these green shoppers. So it is safe to say that, when conscious consumerism is coupled with an understanding of what actions make larger positive environmental impacts than buying an organic salad, there is potential for helping global conditions.