Didactic Manual on Climate Change Awareness and Action

Otoniel Gonzalez Cisneros - A01385113

Didactic Manual on Climate Change Awareness and Action

This manual aims to help people identify these manipulative practices and encourage them to take real action in four dimensions: personal, citizen, professional, and consumer. We will unmask common deceptions, provide actionable steps, and explain how to adopt sustainable behaviors based on scientific research.

Understanding Greenwashing and Slacktivism

Greenwashing refers to the deceptive practice where companies market products or services as environmentally friendly without real evidence of sustainability. Slacktivism is the act of engaging in minimal, surface-level actions that give the illusion of supporting a cause without doing anything meaningful.

Personal Dimension

Part 1: Unmask Deception and Harmful Attitudes

Example 1: Greenwashing

Deception

Case

Intention

To increase sales by capitalizing on the growing trend of “eco-friendly” products.

A clothing brand claims its products are "eco-friendly" because they use organic cotton, yet their production practices cause significant water pollution.

The brand creates a false perception of being environmentally sustainable while continuing harmful practices.

Studies have shown that organic cotton, while less harmful in some ways, can still contribute to environmental damage if its production is not fully sustainable (Source: Journal of Cleaner Production).

Justification

Example 2: Slacktivism

Deception

Case

Intention

To gain social credit for appearing environmentally conscious without making any meaningful change.

Sharing social media posts about climate change without reducing plastic use or adopting sustainable habits.

Individuals believe that sharing posts equates to real action, but it doesn't contribute to solving environmental issues.

Research from Environmental Research Letters indicates that online activism without direct action has no measurable impact on climate mitigation.

Justification

Personal Dimension

Part 2: Illustrate the Actions

Adopt sustainable habits in daily life (e.g., use less plastic, reduce water waste).

Building a Sustainable Society:

Choose sustainable alternatives and avoid products with misleading "green" claims.

Changing Consumption Habits:

Engage in tangible actions like reducing energy consumption and recycling more efficiently.

Transition from Slacktivism:

Research the true environmental impact of brands before purchasing.

Avoiding Greenwashing:

Desired Actions

Understand the full impact of individual actions and how they contribute to larger environmental changes.

Correct Vision and Understanding of the Crisis:Consumption Habits:

Desired Actions

- Create a sustainable shopping list and start small by reducing plastic use.- Justification: According to the IPCC report, individual behavior change can reduce global emissions by 10-20%.

Implementation

Citizen Dimension

Part 1: Unmask Deception and Harmful Attitudes

Example 1: Political Greenwashing

Deception

Case

Justification

Many governments make public statements about reducing emissions but fail to pass meaningful laws (Nature Climate Change).

Governments announce "green policies" without implementing significant changes, often focusing on PR rather than real reform.

The public is led to believe that positive environmental policies are in place, when in fact, there is little impact.

Example 2: Slacktivism in Citizenship

Deception

Case

Justification

Real influence comes from actively engaging in local governance and policy-making, not just online support.

Signing online petitions about climate change but not participating in community meetings or advocating for local policy changes.

Signing a petition feels like action, but without real-world participation, the impact is minimal.

Citizen Dimension

Part 2: Illustrate the Actions

Engage in local activism to better understand the global implications of climate change.

Correct Vision and Understanding of the Crisis:

Advocate for stronger environmental laws and hold leaders accountable for climate action.

Building a Sustainable Society:

Move beyond signing petitions—lobby for change, participate in marches, and support local green policies.

Transition from Slacktivism:

Attend town halls, vote for environmental policies, and engage with local climate action groups.

Citizen Participation:

Desired Actions

- Get involved in local environmental movements and hold elected officials accountable for their climate policies.- Justification: Studies show that citizen engagement can pressure governments to adopt effective climate policies (Nature Climate Change).

Implementation

Professional Dimension

Part 1: Unmask Deception and Harmful Attitudes

Example 1: Carbon Offsetting by Corporations

Deception

Case

Justification

Harvard Business Review highlights that carbon offsetting should be a complement, not a substitute for reducing emissions at the source.

A company offsets its carbon emissions through tree planting while expanding its polluting operations, offering no reduction in actual emissions.

This creates the illusion of responsibility without making real changes to reduce emissions.

Example 2: Lack of Innovation for Sustainability

Deception

Case

Justification

According to Harvard Business Review, businesses that innovate sustainably see long-term profitability and a positive impact on the environment.

Professionals who avoid proposing sustainable innovations in favor of maintaining the status quo due to financial or corporate pressure.

These individuals hinder progress by prioritizing profit over sustainable solutions.

Professional Dimension

Part 2: Illustrate the Actions

Understand the long-term benefits of adopting green practices in professional settings.

Correct Vision and Understanding of the Crisis:

Professionals can lead by example by integrating sustainability into business models and practices.

Building a Sustainable Society:

Implement waste reduction practices and sustainable supply chains.

Reducing Industrial Impact:

Encourage sustainable practices and advocate for greener policies within workplaces.

Fostering Innovation:

Desired Actions

- Promote sustainability through corporate policies, introduce green certifications, and adopt cleaner technologies.- Justification: Companies that focus on sustainability outperform competitors in the long run by reducing costs and attracting more conscientious consumers (Harvard Business Review).

Implementation

Consumer Dimension

Part 1: Unmask Deception and Harmful Attitudes

Example 1: “Eco-friendly” Products with Non-Recyclable Packaging

Deception

Case

Justification

According to Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, consumer behavior change is key to reducing waste and promoting sustainable product design.

A product marketed as “eco-friendly” but packaged in plastic that cannot be recycled.

This misleads consumers into thinking the product is sustainable, despite the negative environmental impact of its packaging.

Example 2: Popular Brands with Unsustainable Practices

Deception

Case

Justification

Research from the Journal of Consumer Research shows that consumers often fall for greenwashing due to a lack of transparency in brand practices.

Consumers purchasing from brands with poor sustainability records, relying solely on marketing claims without verifying the true environmental impact.

Consumers are manipulated into thinking they are supporting eco-friendly brands while continuing to fuel unsustainable practices.

Consumer Dimension

Part 2: Illustrate the Actions

Understand that every purchase contributes to environmental impact.

Correct Vision and Understanding of the Crisis:

Support businesses that prioritize sustainability, even if their products cost more.

Building a Sustainable Society:

Shift to buying local, organic, and sustainably produced goods.

Transforming Consumption Habits:

Research brands before purchasing, checking for certifications and sustainability reports.

Avoiding Greenwashing:

Desired Actions

- Use apps like “Good on You” to assess the sustainability of brands and prioritize purchasing sustainably produced goods.- Justification: Changing consumer behavior can influence businesses to adopt more sustainable practices, reducing global emissions and waste (Journal of Environmental Economics and Management).

Implementation

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Bibliography

Nature Climate Change:

• Schmidt, L., Duncan, R., & White, R. (2021). Pathways to Deepened Participation in Climate Governance. Nature Climate Change. https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/global-sustainability/article/communitybased-participatory-climate-action/8EAC9C7F3FC0EF97BEA3572E5D1B868B

Harvard Business Review on Sustainability:

• Challagalla, G., & Dalsace, F. (2022). Moving the Needle on Sustainability. Harvard Business Review, 100(6), 44-53.

Journal of Cleaner Production:

• Villas Bôas de Almeida, C. M., & Wang, Y. (Eds.). (2023). Journal of Cleaner Production. Elsevier.

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Reports:

• Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. (2021). Climate Change 2021: The Physical Science Basis (AR6). Cambridge University Press.

04

05

Bibliography

Journal of Consumer Research:

• Thompson, C. J., & Arsel, Z. (2020). Greenwashing and Consumer Perception. Journal of Consumer Research. https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/global-sustainability/article/communitybased-participatory-climate-action/8EAC9C7F3FC0EF97BEA3572E5D1B868B

Environmental Research Letters:

• Gomez, A., & Oliver, J. (2022). The Impact of Slacktivism on Environmental Movements. Environmental Research Letters. https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/global-sustainability/article/communitybased-participatory-climate-action/8EAC9C7F3FC0EF97BEA3572E5D1B868B

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