24. Company duty to inform: For each product or service, consumers shall be informed of the biosphere and human impact of its sourcing, manufacture, distribution, and post-use treatment.
As consumers, we have more power than we might think. We not only vote with our wallets, but our consumption is conspicuous, and contributes to setting a tone across society - and this is a secondary and perhaps more powerful effect. And change is possible - look at how perception of veganism has shifted, in a relatively short amount of time, from being seen as a fringe activity paraded by the pious few, to a reasonable and accepted option for the main stream, who are now interested in personal and planet health.
In thinking about this episode, three things struck me. Firstly - out of sight, out of mind. Beautiful products mask less beautiful realities involved in their creation. To make choices, we need to know about them. Secondly, the scale of the challenge. The vastness of it. When you research and think about the some industrial activities, the sheer scale of it is staggering. And thirdly - it's the job of the system to shove the big picture right in people's faces: if information is clear and present at the point of decision - which, for products means the point of purchase - then consumer choices are not only more straight-forward, but there is potential for a major shift in standards, both for us, and for our world.
Talking points:
This is not a guilt trip: it's about free choice
Neo-freudian advertising and marketing
Oil fields the size of France, undersea mining the size of Europe
This principle is very simple: it's about attention
It's not just the system, there's also just bad practice
The world can't run on company lies
Labelling can make the difference: it tells you what you are doing
Carbon trading, bio-fuels and true effects
Styles of labelling: medicine info, tobacco images, energy ratings
Fourth separation of powers: holding large companies to account
Gaming in the system - civil society, the media and change
The other 25 principles will provide a strong context
The Freedom Pollute in context: as a last freedom
Systems thinking meets governance
Links:
Earthtime story on undersea mining (2019). View on a desktop, requires patience and engagement - but will be rewarded in spades:
https://earthtime.org/stories/ocean_mining
Other Earthtime stories:
https://earthtime.org/#stories
Economist podcast on the environment:
https://www.economist.com/podcasts/2021/09/20/to-a-lesser-degree-a-new-climate-podcast-from-the-economist
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