Environmental awareness and action manual for dummies
GREENWASHING
SLACKTIVISM
Personal Dimension
Examples
Slacktivism on social media
“My actions don’t matter”
Info
Info
How to identify harmful attitudes
Actions
Sustainable transportation
Reduce energy consumption
Info
Info
References
CITIZEN Dimension
Examples
“Climate change is exaggerated”
Fake environmental campaigns
Info
Info
Red flags of greenwashing
Actions
Vote for environmental policies
Participate in community initiatives
Info
Info
References
PROFESSIONAL Dimension
Examples
Fast fashion sustainability claims
Companies claiming sustainability without proof
Info
Info
How to identify fake sustainability
Actions
Ethical leadership
Sustainable business practices
Info
Info
References
CONSUMER Dimension
Examples
Overconsumption culture
“Eco-friendly” products without proof
Info
Info
Questions consumers should ask
Actions
Support sustainable brands
Buy less, choose better
Info
Info
References
How to identify fake sustainability
- No data
- No certifications
- Vague promises
- Excessive marketing
Greenwashing
Greenwashing is a marketing strategy in which a company, brand, or organization makes false or exaggerated environmental claims to appear sustainable or eco-friendly without actually reducing its harmful environmental impact. It is used to manipulate consumers into believing that a product, service, or company is helping the environment when, in reality, its practices are still damaging.
“Climate change is exaggerated”
Harmful narrative:Some politicians and media minimize climate change to avoid regulations. Why harmful: It delays environmental action and confuses citizens. Reality: Scientific consensus confirms climate change is real and human-caused.
“My actions don’t matter”
Harmful attitude: Many people believe that one person cannot make a difference against climate change, so they continue wasting water, electricity, and fuel. Why is harmful? This idea creates passivity and prevents collective action. If millions of people think this way, environmental problems become worse.
References
Ward, K., & Ward, K. (2026, 26 mayo). Climate change - NASA Science. NASA Science. https://science.nasa.gov/climate-change/
Ethical leadership
Examples:Transparency Environmental accountability Sustainability reports Why important: Responsible leadership influences employees and consumers.
References
United Nations. (s. f.-b). ClimateChange | United Nations. https://www.un.org/en/climatechangeUnited Nations. (s. f.-a). ACT Now | United Nations. https://www.un.org/en/actnow
People repost environmental posts online but do not change their real habits.
Why it is deception: Sharing content without taking action creates the illusion of helping the environment.
Sustainable transportation
How:
- Walk
- Use bicycles
- Carpool
- Public transport
Why effective: Transportation produces a large percentage of CO₂ emissions worldwide.
References
Das, L. (2024, 1 agosto). Greenwash: what it is and how not to fall for it. Greenpeace UK. https://www.greenpeace.org.uk/news/what-is-greenwashing/
Slacktivism
Slacktivism is a form of minimal or superficial activism in which people support a social or environmental cause through simple online actions that require little effort and create little real impact.
Products using green packaging but containing harmful materials.
Why deceptive:Packaging manipulates consumers emotionally.
Vote for environmental policies
Why important:Government decisions influence emissions, transportation, and renewable energy. Scientific support: Climate policies are essential to achieve emission reduction goals.
References
A New Textiles Economy: Redesigning fashion’s future. (2017, 28 noviembre). https://www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/a-new-textiles-economy THE 17 GOALS | Sustainable Development. (s. f.). https://sdgs.un.org/goals
Overconsumption culture
Harmful idea:Buying more products is associated with happiness and status. Why harmful: Overconsumption increases pollution and waste.
Companies sponsor tree planting events while continuing heavy pollution.
Why it is greenwashing: The company creates a sustainable image without changing harmful practices.
Sustainable business practices
Examples:Renewable energy Waste reduction Sustainable packaging Why effective: Companies have major influence on emissions and resource use.
How to identify harmful attitudes
- Excuses
- “Others should fix it”
- Fake online activism
- Ignoring scientific evidence
Questions consumers should ask
- Is there evidence?
- Is the company transparent?
- Is it truly sustainable?
Red flags of greenwashing
- Vague claims
- No scientific proof
- “100% natural” labels
- No transparency
Brands saying “green” but hiding pollution data.
Why deceptive:Lack of transparency prevents accountability.
Buy less, choose better
How:Durable products Second-hand shopping Avoid impulse purchases Why effective: Reduces waste and resource extraction.
Reduce energy consumption
How:
- Turn off lights
- Unplug electronics
- Use LED bulbs
Why effective: Energy saving reduces fossil fuel consumption and carbon emissions. Scientific evidence: The International Energy Agency states that energy efficiency is one of the fastest ways to reduce greenhouse gases.
Participate in community initiatives
Examples:Recycling programs Clean-up campaigns Environmental volunteering Why effective: Collective participation creates social pressure and environmental awareness.
Fast fashion sustainability claims
Why harmful:Some fashion brands launch “eco collections” while overproducing clothing. Reality: Fast fashion generates huge textile waste and emissions.
Support sustainable brands
How:Check certifications Research companies Support local businesses Why important: Consumer demand influences company behavior.
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Transcript
Environmental awareness and action manual for dummies
GREENWASHING
SLACKTIVISM
Personal Dimension
Examples
Slacktivism on social media
“My actions don’t matter”
Info
Info
How to identify harmful attitudes
Actions
Sustainable transportation
Reduce energy consumption
Info
Info
References
CITIZEN Dimension
Examples
“Climate change is exaggerated”
Fake environmental campaigns
Info
Info
Red flags of greenwashing
Actions
Vote for environmental policies
Participate in community initiatives
Info
Info
References
PROFESSIONAL Dimension
Examples
Fast fashion sustainability claims
Companies claiming sustainability without proof
Info
Info
How to identify fake sustainability
Actions
Ethical leadership
Sustainable business practices
Info
Info
References
CONSUMER Dimension
Examples
Overconsumption culture
“Eco-friendly” products without proof
Info
Info
Questions consumers should ask
Actions
Support sustainable brands
Buy less, choose better
Info
Info
References
How to identify fake sustainability
Greenwashing
Greenwashing is a marketing strategy in which a company, brand, or organization makes false or exaggerated environmental claims to appear sustainable or eco-friendly without actually reducing its harmful environmental impact. It is used to manipulate consumers into believing that a product, service, or company is helping the environment when, in reality, its practices are still damaging.
“Climate change is exaggerated”
Harmful narrative:Some politicians and media minimize climate change to avoid regulations. Why harmful: It delays environmental action and confuses citizens. Reality: Scientific consensus confirms climate change is real and human-caused.
“My actions don’t matter”
Harmful attitude: Many people believe that one person cannot make a difference against climate change, so they continue wasting water, electricity, and fuel. Why is harmful? This idea creates passivity and prevents collective action. If millions of people think this way, environmental problems become worse.
References
Ward, K., & Ward, K. (2026, 26 mayo). Climate change - NASA Science. NASA Science. https://science.nasa.gov/climate-change/
Ethical leadership
Examples:Transparency Environmental accountability Sustainability reports Why important: Responsible leadership influences employees and consumers.
References
United Nations. (s. f.-b). ClimateChange | United Nations. https://www.un.org/en/climatechangeUnited Nations. (s. f.-a). ACT Now | United Nations. https://www.un.org/en/actnow
People repost environmental posts online but do not change their real habits.
Why it is deception: Sharing content without taking action creates the illusion of helping the environment.
Sustainable transportation
How:
- Walk
- Use bicycles
- Carpool
- Public transport
Why effective: Transportation produces a large percentage of CO₂ emissions worldwide.References
Das, L. (2024, 1 agosto). Greenwash: what it is and how not to fall for it. Greenpeace UK. https://www.greenpeace.org.uk/news/what-is-greenwashing/
Slacktivism
Slacktivism is a form of minimal or superficial activism in which people support a social or environmental cause through simple online actions that require little effort and create little real impact.
Products using green packaging but containing harmful materials.
Why deceptive:Packaging manipulates consumers emotionally.
Vote for environmental policies
Why important:Government decisions influence emissions, transportation, and renewable energy. Scientific support: Climate policies are essential to achieve emission reduction goals.
References
A New Textiles Economy: Redesigning fashion’s future. (2017, 28 noviembre). https://www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/a-new-textiles-economy THE 17 GOALS | Sustainable Development. (s. f.). https://sdgs.un.org/goals
Overconsumption culture
Harmful idea:Buying more products is associated with happiness and status. Why harmful: Overconsumption increases pollution and waste.
Companies sponsor tree planting events while continuing heavy pollution.
Why it is greenwashing: The company creates a sustainable image without changing harmful practices.
Sustainable business practices
Examples:Renewable energy Waste reduction Sustainable packaging Why effective: Companies have major influence on emissions and resource use.
How to identify harmful attitudes
Questions consumers should ask
Red flags of greenwashing
Brands saying “green” but hiding pollution data.
Why deceptive:Lack of transparency prevents accountability.
Buy less, choose better
How:Durable products Second-hand shopping Avoid impulse purchases Why effective: Reduces waste and resource extraction.
Reduce energy consumption
How:
- Turn off lights
- Unplug electronics
- Use LED bulbs
Why effective: Energy saving reduces fossil fuel consumption and carbon emissions. Scientific evidence: The International Energy Agency states that energy efficiency is one of the fastest ways to reduce greenhouse gases.Participate in community initiatives
Examples:Recycling programs Clean-up campaigns Environmental volunteering Why effective: Collective participation creates social pressure and environmental awareness.
Fast fashion sustainability claims
Why harmful:Some fashion brands launch “eco collections” while overproducing clothing. Reality: Fast fashion generates huge textile waste and emissions.
Support sustainable brands
How:Check certifications Research companies Support local businesses Why important: Consumer demand influences company behavior.