VISUAL THINKING CHECKLIST

Environmental awareness and action manual for dummies

Personal Action

Citizen Action

Unmask Deception and Harmful Attitudes.

Unmask Deception and Harmful Attitudes.

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Consumer action

Professional Action

Unmask Deception and Harmful Attitudes.

Unmask Deception and Harmful Attitudes.

+ Example 2

+ Example 1

+ Example 1

+ Example 2

Illustrations

Illustrations

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References: D’Souza, C., Taghian, M., Lamb, P., & Peretiatko, R. (2019). Greenwashing: Corporate and marketing practices that deceive and harm consumers. Journal of Business Ethics, 155(1), 193–209. Centola, D. (2013). Homophily, networks, and critical mass in social diffusion. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 110(16), 10418–10423. Mont, O. (2018). Sustainable consumption and the quality of life: A research synthesis. Journal of Cleaner Production, 195, 787–794. Steg, L., Bolderdijk, J. W., Keizer, K., Perlaviciute, G., & Potze, J. (2014). The role of peer influence on pro-environmental behavior. Social Influence, 9(2), 63–87. Van Lange, P. A., Joireman, J., Parks, C. D., Van Dijk, E., & Van Vugt, M. (2013). From games to giving: Social value orientation predicts donations to noble causes. Basic and Applied Social Psychology, 35(6), 565–572 Frynas, J. G., & Stephens, S. (2015). Political corporate social responsibility: Reviewing theories and setting new agendas. International Journal of Management Reviews, 17(4), 483–509. Xenos, M. A., & Moy, P. (2007). Direct and differential effects of the Internet on political and civic engagement. Journal of Communication, 57(4), 704–718. Cialdini, R. B., Reno, R. R., & Kallgren, C. A. (1991). A focus theory of normative conduct: Recycling the concept of norms to reduce littering in public places. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 58(6), 1015–1026. Ostrom, E. (2010). Polycentric systems for coping with collective action and global environmental change. Global Environmental Change, 20(4), 550–557. Eveland, W. P., & Hively, M. H. (2009). Political discussion frequency, network size, and "heterogeneity" of discussion as predictors of political knowledge and participation. Journal of Communication, 59(2), 205–224. Delmas, M., & Burbano, V. C. (2011). The drivers of greenwashing. California Management Review, 54(1), 64–87. Wijen, F. (2014). The practices of sustainability: On the practice-based formation of green routines. Organization Science, 25(2), 682–699. Nidumolu, R., Prahalad, C. K., & Rangaswami, M. R. (2009). Why sustainability is now the key driver of innovation. Harvard Business Review, 87(9), 56–64. Gibson, R. B., Hassan, S. S., & Holtz, S. (2005). The role of business in environmental governance: Learning from sustainability initiatives in the Canadian forest products sector. Forest Policy and Economics, 7(1), 115–127. Rendtorff, J. D. (2009). The role of business in promoting sustainable consumption. Journal of Business Ethics, 84(1), 11–19.

"Organic" Fast Food

Company: McDonald's Deceptive Claim: McDonald's promotes certain menu items as "organic" or "healthy." Reality: The overall nutritional content and sourcing practices may not align with the perceived healthiness of the labeled items. Intentions: The company aims to attract health-conscious consumers without a significant shift in its overall menu sustainability.

Building a Sustainable Society

Facts: Understand the interconnectedness of corporate actions and societal sustainability. Actions: Advocate for and implement policies that promote sustainability, support local businesses, and participate in industry sustainability projects. Attitudes: Foster a sense of collective responsibility for societal and environmental health. Implementation: Collaborate with other organizations to initiate industry-wide sustainability projects and promote shared responsibility. Research highlights the importance of industry collaboration in achieving sustainable societal outcomes (Gibson et al., 2005).

Moving from Slacktivism to Environmental Agency

Facts: Understand that real change requires tangible actions beyond social media activism. Actions: Adopt sustainable habits, such as reducing meat consumption and choosing eco-friendly products. Share these actions online with the intention of inspiring others. Attitudes: Shift from passive support to active participation in environmental causes. Implementation: Use social media to share personal eco-friendly practices, leveraging the power of social influence. Research indicates that peer influence can drive real-world behavioral change (Centola, 2013).

Greenwashing in Green Spaces

Initiative: ABC Urban Green Project Deceptive Claim: A real estate project markets itself as a green space initiative, emphasizing sustainability. Reality: The project involves massive deforestation and habitat destruction. Intentions: The developers aim to capitalize on the green trend while neglecting the project's environmental consequences.

Avoiding Greenwashing

Facts: Understand common greenwashing tactics in corporate practices, such as token eco-friendly gestures. Actions: Scrutinize corporate sustainability reports, demand transparency, and support companies with comprehensive sustainability policies. Attitudes: Cultivate skepticism towards companies making superficial environmental claims. Implementation: Utilize online platforms that assess corporate sustainability practices based on verifiable data. Research indicates that informed consumer choices positively impact corporate behavior (Delmas & Burbano, 2011).

Facts: Recognize the interconnectedness of personal actions and community well-being. Actions: Participate in local events, support businesses with sustainable practices, and advocate for community-wide sustainability initiatives. Attitudes: Foster a sense of responsibility towards the local and global community. Implementation: Engage in local community groups and initiatives, reinforcing the idea that collective action leads to significant impact. Research indicates that community involvement positively influences sustainable behaviors (Steg et al., 2014).

Building a Sustainable Society:

Moving from Slacktivism to Environmental Agency:

Facts: Recognize the limitations of passive support without tangible changes in consumption habits. Actions: Adopt sustainable purchasing practices, reduce overall consumption, and actively advocate for eco-friendly products. Attitudes: Shift from symbolic gestures to meaningful contributions to environmental causes. Implementation: Utilize social media platforms to share personal eco-friendly practices and engage with eco-conscious communities. Research indicates that peer influence can drive real-world behavioral change (Centola, 2013).

Moving from Slacktivism to Environmental Agency

Facts: Recognize the limitations of token corporate initiatives without systemic change. Actions: Implement comprehensive sustainability policies within the organization, involve employees in decision-making, and actively participate in industry-wide initiatives. Attitudes: Shift from symbolic gestures to substantial contributions to corporate environmental responsibility. Implementation: Engage in industry conferences and collaborate with peer organizations to drive systemic change. Studies emphasize the role of internal organizational practices in influencing external industry behavior (Wijen, 2014).

Transforming Consumption Habits:

Facts: Acknowledge the environmental impact of personal consumption choices. Actions: Prioritize sustainable and local products, reduce single-use plastic, and embrace a circular economy mindset. Attitudes: Embrace conscious consumerism, valuing quality over quantity. Implementation: Utilize mobile apps that assess the environmental impact of products based on life cycle assessments. Studies show that informed consumer choices contribute to a sustainable economy (Mont, 2018).

Building a Sustainable Society

Facts: Understand the interconnectedness of individual civic actions and societal sustainability. Actions: Advocate for industry-wide sustainability standards, support environmentally responsible businesses, and participate in community sustainability projects. Attitudes: Foster a sense of collective responsibility for societal and environmental health. Implementation: Collaborate with local organizations and businesses to initiate community-based sustainability projects. Scientific literature suggests that collective action is a key driver of sustainable societal change (Ostrom, 2010).

Greenwashing in Food Packaging

Company: Nestlé Deceptive Claim: Nestlé packages certain products in eco-friendly materials but overlooks other unsustainable practices. Reality: While the packaging may be eco-friendly, Nestlé's overall environmental footprint, including water usage and sourcing practices, remains a concern. Intentions: The company seeks to create an image of environmental responsibility without addressing all aspects of its operations.

Example 1: Greenwashing in Personal Choices

Misleading eco-friendly claims on personal care products. "Natural" Beauty Product Product: XYZ Moisturizer Deceptive Claim: The product label prominently displays the term "natural," implying it's environmentally friendly. Reality: The ingredient list includes harmful chemicals, and the term "natural" has no standardized definition. Intentions: The company aims to attract environmentally conscious consumers, boosting sales without genuine eco-friendly practices.

Pledge: Coca-Cola's "World Without Waste" Campaign Deceptive Claim: Coca-Cola pledges to reduce plastic use but lacks transparency and enforcement in its implementation. Intentions: The company seeks positive public relations without a genuine commitment to addressing plastic pollution.

Empty Corporate Pledges

Greenwashing in Supply Chain

Company: H&M Deceptive Claim: The company promotes eco-friendly practices but overlooks unethical conditions in its overseas factories. Reality: Exploitative labor practices and environmental harm occur in the company's supply chain. Intentions: The company aims to appear environmentally responsible without addressing human rights issues.

Avoiding Greenwashing

Facts: Understand common greenwashing tactics in marketing and product labeling. Actions: Scrutinize product labels, prioritize brands with recognized eco-certifications, and verify claims through reliable sources. Attitudes: Cultivate a discerning approach, demanding transparency and authenticity from brands. Implementation: Utilize mobile apps that provide instant information on a product's environmental impact like ethy. Scientific studies show that informed consumers can significantly reduce the effectiveness of greenwashing strategies (D’Souza et al., 2019).

Event: LMN Sustainable Fashion Expo Deceptive Claim: A major fast fashion retailer sponsors the event, highlighting its commitment to sustainable and ethical fashion practices. Reality: The company's supply chain involves exploitative labor practices and excessive waste, contradicting the sponsorship claim. Intentions: The company seeks to improve its public image without genuine efforts to address ethical and environmental concerns in its operations.

"Green" Corporate Sponsorship

Facts: Educate yourself on common greenwashing tactics, such as vague labels or unverified eco-friendly claims. Actions: Scrutinize product labels, prioritize brands with recognized eco-certifications, and verify claims through reliable sources. Attitudes: Cultivate a skeptical mindset, demanding transparency and authenticity from brands. Implementation: Leverage smartphone apps that scan product barcodes and provide instant information on a product's environmental impact. Scientific studies show that informed consumers can significantly reduce the effectiveness of greenwashing strategies

Avoiding Greenwashing:

Example 2: Slacktivism in Personal Habits

Harmful Attitude: Sharing climate change content on social media without concrete actions. Behavior: Sharing posts about climate change, but not adopting sustainable practices. Intentions: Creating a facade of environmental concern without making personal lifestyle changes.

Transforming Professional Habits:

Facts: Acknowledge the impact of individual and organizational practices on environmental outcomes.Actions: Advocate for industry-wide sustainability standards, support environmentally responsible businesses, and engage in continuous improvement of professional practices. Attitudes: Embrace a sense of professional responsibility for environmental well-being. Implementation: Collaborate with industry associations to set and adhere to sustainability standards. Scientific literature suggests that proactive industry engagement is crucial for sustainable business practices (Nidumolu et al., 2009).

Facts: Understand common greenwashing strategies in corporate engagement with environmental events. Actions: Research corporate environmental practices, support companies with transparent sustainability reports, and question vague claims. Attitudes: Cultivate skepticism towards corporate motives in environmental initiatives. Implementation: Utilize online tools that assess corporate sustainability practices based on publicly available data. Research shows that corporate transparency positively influences public perception and engagement (Frynas & Stephens, 2015).

Avoiding Greenwashing

Building a Sustainable Society

Facts: Understand the interconnectedness of personal consumption choices and societal well-being. Actions: Advocate for policies supporting sustainable practices, support local businesses, and actively participate in community sustainability projects. Attitudes: Foster a sense of collective responsibility for societal and environmental health. Implementation: Engage with local organizations and businesses to promote sustainable practices. Scientific literature suggests that community involvement positively influences sustainable behaviors (Steg et al., 2014).

Moving from Slacktivism to Environmental Agency

Facts: Recognize the limitations of passive civic engagement, such as signing online petitions without deeper understanding. Actions: Attend local community meetings, understand issues deeply, and actively participate in civic engagement. Attitudes: Shift from symbolic gestures to meaningful contributions to civic and environmental causes. Implementation: Engage in online platforms that facilitate in-depth discussions on environmental issues. Studies highlight the importance of informed civic participation in driving societal change (Xenos & Moy, 2007).

Transforming Consumption Habits:

Facts: Acknowledge the impact of individual consumption choices on the environment. Actions: Prioritize sustainable and locally sourced products, reduce single-use items, and embrace a circular economy mindset. Attitudes: Embrace conscious consumerism, valuing quality over quantity. Implementation: Participate in local sustainability initiatives and use apps that assess the environmental impact of products. Studies show that informed consumer choices contribute to a sustainable economy (Mont, 2018).

Transforming Civic Habits:

Facts: Acknowledge the impact of individual civic choices on community and environmental well-being. Actions: Advocate for personal and community-level changes, support policies promoting sustainability, and engage in environmental education initiatives. Attitudes: Embrace a sense of civic responsibility and prioritize societal well-being. Implementation: Participate in local advocacy groups and utilize social media to amplify civic messages. Research emphasizes the role of community-level interventions in promoting sustainable behaviors (Cialdini et al., 1991).