Our Pardoxical "Green Planet"... Ethical Consumerism

“Green consumption” makes Wikipedia’s “List of Genuine Oxymora”. The reason: consumption by its very nature has an impact on the environment – to some degree or another – and therefore, is hard to call truly green."

Paul Hawken, author and longtime environmental activist, said the current boom in earth-friendly products offers a false promise. “Green consumerism is an oxymoronic phrase,” he said. He blamed the news media and marketers for turning environmentalism into fashion and distracting from serious issues. "

There has to be some way for Business to stay in Business and become a better Corporate Citizen. There is, it is the paradigm shift to Sustainable Business.

Business is in business to do business--e.g. be profitable, so just how does business define what is needed to maintain a competitive edge in the market? And at the same time minimize the extraction of non-renewables and treat workers fairly?

They will continue to drive sales defining their businesses, while marketing to 21st Century consumers....so just what kind of consumers are they?

Here are the primary consumer movement drivers, we are not talking LOHAS here, those of us who are LOHAS fall withing conscious consumerism one of these categories already.

These are the growing groups to keep an eye on:

1.) Ethical consumerism is a movement based on purchasing products that have been ethically produced. In General terms products that have produced without harm to the environment or the exploitation and harm of individuals and animals.

2.) Conscious consumerism is a community minded-social movement, which generally describes those who have voluntarily chosen a life of simplicity. A life where they focus on work-life balance-this focus allows them to enjoy life without putting importance on material possessions “keeping up with the Jones’s”. When they do purchase they tend to look first to options such as flea markets, second hand stores, free-cycle etc.

When they do make it purchase it is well thought out and not by impulse. Of high importance to them is their values, supporting the local economy, and is this a product that will last or perhaps once the use is complete is there another use for it?