100 likes | 247 Views
Gambling with your groceries. Can you see through the greenwash ?. What does it mean to be “ green ”?. Environmental responsibility Social responsibility Ethical production techniques Sustainability Healthy for us, the planet, and the people and animals we share it with.
E N D
Gambling with your groceries Can you see through the greenwash?
What does it mean to be “green”? • Environmental responsibility • Social responsibility • Ethical production techniques • Sustainability • Healthy for us, the planet, and the people and animals we share it with. Can you think of any others?
What is “critical thinking”? Dihydrogen Monoxide (DMHO) is a dangerous substance, found many places in the world! • Given to vicious dogs involved in recent deadly attacks. • Found in our lakes, rivers, streams and oceans. • Is a major component of acid rain. • Causes death when inhaled. • Prolonged exposure to solid DMHO causes severe tissue damage. • Is used in nuclear power plants.
What is “critical thinking”? • “Thinking about thinking” • Consider your sources and their biases. • Research the topic further (look at multiple sources from multiple perspectives). • Don’t take product claims at face value. • Ask lots of questions, and look for the answers. • Be open-minded!
What is “greenwashing”? Simply put, greenwashing is an attempt by advertisers to convince consumers that a product is “green”, despite the fact that it may not be.
How do we avoid “greenwashing”? • Research • Critical Thinking
What are some products that may be greenwashed? • Drinks (coffee, bottled water, etc.) • Foods (vegetables, fruits, etc.) • Animal products (meat, eggs, etc.) • Cleaning products • Fertilizers, pesticides • Clothing • Personal care products (cosmetics, sanitizers) • Can you think of any others?
Making the Sale • Create a poster (visual advertisement), TV ad (yes, with acting!) or radio ad for your product, attempting to sell the product on its “green” features. • The class will then have a chance to ask questions about the product and vote on whether they think it’s “green” or “greenwashed”.
How can you decide? • Decide which factors are most important to you. • Is it ok to choose the best product available, even if it is still flawed? • In the end, you have the power to decide and you need to find a way to decide for yourself – the answers are not always black and white.