In capitalist, democratic cultures the vote is an important tool to generate change, but the credit card works faster. Surely voting for the most conscientious politicians is our duty, but avoiding companies or market niches that harm the environment is an effective method of action. The Montgomery Bus Boycott initiated by the Rosa Parks bus incident in which she refused to give up her seat for being black is a good example of consumer power in the face of adversity.
Fast forward to the present and the pressing threat of global climate change and we have to become increasingly aware of companies’s policies to tackle the issue and make their products more environmentally friendly. One organization that is doing that is Climate Changes, which describes itself as a ¨collaborative effort to bring consumers and companies together in the fight against global climate change¨.
We have come together with a shared conviction that the time for talk about global warming has passed, and that significant corporate, consumer, and political action is now necessary. Our goal is to motivate deeper awareness among consumers-not only that the issue of climate change demands their attention, but also that they have the power to support companies that take climate change seriously – and avoid those that don’t. When consumers take action and raise their voices on issues that matter to them, businesses pay attention. A loud and clear consumer movement that demands more aggressive corporate action on climate change will not fall on deaf ears.
Check out the organization’s website and find out which companies are taking positive steps in the fight against climate change. Cutting back consumption is always best, but if you need to buy something, make sure it will not be harming the planet.
