Présentation essentielle

Evidence 2 Environmental Awareness and action Manual for Dummies

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Personal Dimension

“Plant a tree = save the planet”

“Buy green products to offset your emissions”

Many campaigns encourage individuals to plant trees to “neutralize” their carbon emissions, claiming that this simple action can save the environment.

Brands sell “ecological” or “green” products, claiming that buying them is a responsible act.

Deception

Intentions

Deception

Intentions

SOLUTIONS

CONCLUSION

Citizen Dimension

“Signing an online petition is enough to take action”

“The big polluting companies are doing their bit (advertising 'climate commitments')”

Many campaigns encourage individuals to plant trees to “neutralize” their carbon emissions, claiming that this simple action can save the environment.

Major companies publish advertising campaigns highlighting their green initiatives, such as reducing emissions or using recycled materials..

Deception

Intentions

Deception

Intentions

SOLUTIONS

CONCLUSION

Professional Dimension

Certain sustainability labels guarantee a responsible company”

“Adopting carbon compensation measures is enough to become a sustainable company”

Many companies announce carbon offset programs, such as tree planting, to neutralize their emissions.

Some companies use ecological or sustainability labels to certify their products or services.

Deception

Intentions

Deception

Intentions

SOLUTIONS

CONCLUSION

Consumer Dimension

“Plastic-free products are automatically eco-friendly”

“Buying organic is always better”

Many consumers believe that buying organic products is systematically better for the environment.

The current trend is for consumers to avoid plastic, preferring alternatives such as paper or glass.

Deception

Deception

Intentions

Intentions

CONCLUSION

SOLUTIONS

Deception

Many of these products are examples of greenwashing. For example, plastic water bottles with a “100% recyclable” logo, even though plastic is still a polluting material. This encourages over-consumption by using a green label to legitimize the purchase.

Intentions

Companies seek to increase sales by responding to growing consumer demand for “sustainable” products. They avoid radically transforming their production processes to reduce their impact. Lifecycle analyses of these products often reveal that they have a significant environmental impact, despite their “green” positioning.

• Identify your main sources of personal emissions (travel, food, energy).
• Question simplistic marketing solutions.
• Evaluate your carbon footprint using online calculators (e.g. WWF tool).
• Reduce car journeys in favor of public transport or cycling.
• Encourage long-term sustainable actions such as consuming less but better.

Adopt a systemic approach to your habits

Moving from passive behavior to concrete action:

• Learn to analyze eco-labels: not all of them guarantee a real positive impact.
• Don't give in to impulse buying, even for “ethical” products.
• Buy only what you need, and give preference to sustainable, local products with no unnecessary packaging.
• Repair or recycle rather than throw away or buy again.

Avoid the pitfalls of greenwashing and consume consciously:

• Don't just support symbolic initiatives (e.g. sharing a post on social networks) without changing your own practices. Question the necessity of a purchase before succumbing to the “green products” fad.
• Participate in local actions such as beach or park clean-ups.
• Reduce energy consumption by switching off unused appliances, improving insulation or switching to renewable energies.

Conclusion

Personal actions should not be guided by superficial solutions or manipulative practices, but by informed decisions based on facts.

Deception

Many online campaigns encourage citizens to sign digital petitions for various environmental causes. This action, while symbolic, can give a false sense of accomplishment without bringing about any real change. This phenomenon is known as “slacktivism”, where engagement is limited to low-impact online actions. Reminder: “Slacktivism is a term derived from ‘slacker’ and ‘activism’. It refers to online engagement that requires little time, since it consists, roughly speaking, of changing a profile photo, retweeting an article or signing a petition in just a few clicks. All without actually taking part in protest movements, such as demonstrations”.

Intentions

Maintain inertia by avoiding more radical actionSome organizations use these petitions to collect personal data or increase their visibility without any real intention of bringing about concrete change. Studies show that slacktivism can reduce the likelihood of more substantial commitments, as individuals feel they have already “done their bit”.

Deception

These campaigns often involve greenwashing, where companies exaggerate or lie about their environmental efforts to improve their public image without making any significant changes.

Example of a greenwashing campaign

Intentions

These companies try to improve their reputation and attract environmentally conscious consumers without changing their polluting practices. Analyses reveal that some companies invest more in promoting their “green” initiatives than in concrete actions to reduce their environmental impact.

• Understand that passive online actions are not enough to bring about systemic change.
• Recognize the importance of physical and collective engagement in social movements.
• Participate in demonstrations, public meetings or citizen workshops to influence political decisions.
• Get involved in local or national organizations working for environmental policies.

Actively participate in public policy campaigns

• Recognize the impact of voting on environmental policies.
• Find out about candidates' programs on climate change.
• Analyze candidates' proposals and support those who make a firm commitment to the environment.
• Encourage public debate on climate issues during election campaigns.

Vote for political leaders with a clear climate program

Conclusion

Civic engagement goes beyond symbolic online actions. It requires active, informed participation to influence public policy and counter greenwashing practices.

Deception

Carbon offsetting is often used as a window-dressing solution, without any real reduction in emissions at source. Some offsetting initiatives lack transparency and efficiency, and do not guarantee true carbon neutrality.

Intentions

The aim is to improve the company's image without having to undertake profound transformations of its industrial or commercial processes. But also, to meet the expectations of consumers and investors without any substantial effort. Studies show that carbon offsetting, without first reducing emissions, is insufficient to achieve climate objectives.

Deception

Some labels are self-awarded or issued by less-than-rigorous organizations, and do not guarantee genuine environmental performance. The use of misleading labels can mislead consumers about a company's true commitments.

Intentions

The aim is to capitalize on the green trend to increase sales without changing internal practices. But also, to avoid the costs associated with more stringent and recognized certifications. Analyses reveal that some labels lack credibility and serve mainly as marketing tools.

SOLUTIONS

• Recognize that individual initiatives, however positive, have limited impact without collective mobilization.
• Understand that collaboration between colleagues can amplify the results of ecological actions.
• Organize awareness-raising and training workshops on sustainable practices.
• Set up green committees to identify and implement ecological solutions within the company.

• Understand that reducing waste and reusing resources are essential to reducing our ecological footprint.
• Recognize the importance of rethinking economic models to integrate sustainability.
• Implement material recycling and reuse processes within the company.
• Design modular, repairable products to extend their lifespan.

Conclusion

Companies need to move beyond superficial solutions and misleading labels by adopting genuinely sustainable practices and actively involving their employees in collective initiatives.

Deception

Imported organic products can have a high carbon footprint due to long-distance transport. Some organic products are packaged in plastic or produced intensively, reducing their ecological benefit.

Intentions

Companies use the “organic” label to justify higher prices without necessarily guaranteeing a positive environmental impact. Studies show that the environmental impact of organic products depends on their origin, method of production and distribution.

Deception

The production of some alternative materials can be more energy-intensive and generate more CO₂ than plastic. Not all plastics are equal in terms of environmental impact; some are recyclable and have a lower carbon footprint.

Intentions

Companies are riding the anti-plastic wave to sell more expensive products without any real ecological improvement. Material life-cycle analyses show that replacing plastic with other materials is not always beneficial for the environment.

• Local produce reduces the carbon footprint associated with transport.
• Seasonal produce requires less energy to produce (heating of greenhouses, etc.).
• Buy from local producers or markets.
• Find out about fruit and vegetable seasons to adapt your consumption.

• Over-consumption leads to excessive exploitation of natural resources and increased waste.
• Adopting a minimalist approach encourages thoughtful purchasing and product sustainability.
• Before each purchase, ask yourself whether the product is really necessary.
• Prioritize quality over quantity, by choosing durable and repairable products.

Deception

Excessive reduction of the climate solution to symbolic actions. Planting trees is not a sufficient or immediate solution. Trees take years to grow before they capture significant amounts of carbon. This can distract attention from the real efforts needed to reduce emissions directly (e.g., adopting sustainable modes of transport, reducing energy consumption).

Intention

Marketing to attract donations or memberships, with no measurable impact. Companies use this strategy to promote their products or services (e.g.: one tree planted per product purchased) without committing to reducing their own emissions. They manipulate individuals into believing that they have fulfilled their “ecological duty”. Scientific studies show that tree planting can be effective in the long term, but does not compensate for ongoing emissions in the short term.