Friday, February 26, 2021
GMO test
  • Politics
    • American Politics
    • Canadian Politics
    • International Politics
  • Investing
  • Business
    • Corporate Culture
    • Leadership
    • Marketing
    • Supply Chains
  • Economy
    • Jobs
    • The Green Economy
    • GDP
  • Energy
    • Solar
    • Wind
    • Fossil Fuels
    • Renewables
  • Environment
    • Emissions
    • Wildfires
    • Biodiversity
    • Extreme Weather
  • Technology
    • Food
    • Health
    • Buildings
    • Renewables
    • Carbon Capture
    • Transportation
    • Climate Change
  • Social Change
    • Activism
    • Education
    • Psychology
No Result
View All Result
  • Politics
    • American Politics
    • Canadian Politics
    • International Politics
  • Investing
  • Business
    • Corporate Culture
    • Leadership
    • Marketing
    • Supply Chains
  • Economy
    • Jobs
    • The Green Economy
    • GDP
  • Energy
    • Solar
    • Wind
    • Fossil Fuels
    • Renewables
  • Environment
    • Emissions
    • Wildfires
    • Biodiversity
    • Extreme Weather
  • Technology
    • Food
    • Health
    • Buildings
    • Renewables
    • Carbon Capture
    • Transportation
    • Climate Change
  • Social Change
    • Activism
    • Education
    • Psychology
No Result
View All Result
GMO test
No Result
View All Result
Home Uncategorized

Educating Consumers about Sustainable Consumption

by Richard Matthews
September 27, 2012
in Uncategorized
0

Businesses need to address consumer confusion about sustainability. A 2011 WBCSD report reviews how business can help to take sustainability from a niche market to the mainstream. As reviewed in the report, businesses need to be part of the effort to explain sustainability to consumers. Ultimately consumers need to understand that sustainability is about a pragmatic approach to solving the climate change crisis we are facing.

One of the chief obstacles that businesses face has to do with the false choice between the economy and the environment. Many consumers fear that sustainable consumption will translate to a decrement in their standard of living. However, sustainable consumption does not have to mean a lower standard of living, just a higher level of intentionality about encouraging more sustainable products, systems and services.


There are conflicting numbers about the amount of people who actually make buying decisions based on sustainability. According to 2010 Natural Marketing institute statistics 83 percent of US adults are associated with green purchasing in one way or another. However, this includes those who make very occasional green purchases.

The WBCSD’s report found that only 20 percent of consumers make choices about their shopping habits based on the sustainability of a product. The inference of this study is that a great deal of work still needs to be done informing consumers about the merits of sustainability.

If we are to educate consumers we must have clear definitions of what we mean when we advocate sustainable consumption. One very useful study characterizes sustainable consumption as smart growth (decoupling commercial success from environmental impact), smart use (minimizing impacts associated with product use and disposal), a better choice of choice (manufacturers offers customers better choices) and positive social impact (purchasing promotes well-being on multiple levels).

Consumers have a long way to go, but they are moving in the right direction. We can radically transform our world through educating consumers to make more responsible buying decisions. Businesses have an important educational role to play advancing the green economy by informing consumers about what sustainability really means.

Forward thinking companies are not waiting for green consumer demand, they are using their power to create this demand. Companies like Sainsbury’s and Unilever are already actively involved in efforts to educate consumers.

By encouraging consumers to make more responsible buying decisions we can liberate market forces that can significantly advance the green economy. Educating consumers is the key to facilitating the adoption of green products and services..

© 2012, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

Related Articles
Profiting From the New Rules of Green Marketing
The Revolutionary New Model of Consumption
The Frugal Green Consumer
Sustainability is the Future of Consumption
The World’s First Global Carrotmob Campaign

The War Between the Earth’s Carrying Capacity and Rising Demand
US Environmental Attitudes 2007 – 2020
Consumers Skeptical of Environmental Claims
Surveys of America’s Greenest Brands
Don’t Count on the Young to Save the Planet
The Power of Social Media and the Importance of Market Segmentation
The Cycle of Climate Change Acceptance
US Consumer Attitudes on Green 2011
Consumer Groups Push for a US Vehicle Efficiency Standard
Consumer Demand for Green (2009)
Carrotmobs: Adding Incentives to the Consumer Arsenal
Green’s Coming of Age
Green Opportunities in Volatile Times
Consumers Continue to Embrace the Burgeoning Green Market
People Remain Loyal to Green Even in an Economic Downturn
Green Consumers Really Can Save the World (Video)

ShareTweetShare
Previous Post

The Frugal Green Consumer

Next Post

Top 5 Green Business Schools in the US

Related Posts

Unprecedented Wildfires in 2020 are Connected to Climate Change

by Richard Matthews
December 29, 2020
0

The intense wildfires that raged across the Western U.S., South America, and Australia in 2020 are being attributed to climate change. What makes these fires unprecedented is their size and...

American Courts are Defending Democracy and the Environment

by Richard Matthews
December 14, 2020
0

Despite unprecedented challenges, America's legal system has held. In recent weeks the courts have repeatedly defended democracy and in the last four years they have overturned a wide range of environmental...

Boycott Culture and Brand Influence During Trump’s Presidency and Beyond

by Richard Matthews
December 8, 2020
0

Brands wield enormous influence over popular culture and whether they are pursuing core social values or trying to preempt boycotts, brands are finding it harder to ignore social, environmental and political...

Next Post

Top 5 Green Business Schools in the US

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Follow Us

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email
  • LinkedIn
  • Reddit
  • SoundCloud

Subscribe to the Blog

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Emissions

Carbon Emissions – Red States and Blue States (Infographic)

by Richard Matthews
February 25, 2021
0

Red states produce and consume more carbon than blue states. This holds true for both Republican state economies and the...

Read more

America’s Most Popular Purveyor of Climate Disinformation is Dead

February 23, 2021

The International Conference on Fake News, Social Media Manipulation and Misinformation (10 Events)

February 21, 2021

Climate Action: Why We May Finally Do What Needs to be Done

February 20, 2021

China’s Climate Leadership?

February 15, 2021
  • Business
  • Economy
  • Energy
  • Environment
  • Investing
  • Politics
  • Technology
  • Social Change

© 2021 Copyright The Green Market Oracle.

No Result
View All Result
  • Business
    • Corporate Culture
    • Leadership
    • Marketing
    • Supply Chains
  • Economy
    • GDP
    • Jobs
    • The Green Economy
  • Energy
    • Fossil Fuels
    • Renewables
    • Solar
    • Wind
  • Environment
    • Emissions
    • Biodiversity
    • Extreme Weather
    • Wildfires
  • Investing
  • Politics
    • American Politics
    • Canadian Politics
    • International Politics
  • Technology
    • Buildings
    • Carbon Capture
    • Climate Change
    • Food
    • Transportation
    • Health
    • Renewables
  • Social Change
    • Education
    • Activism
    • Psychology
    • Marches

© 2021 Copyright The Green Market Oracle.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In