Responsible Consumption
Responsible Consumption
11th October 2013
Responsible consumption is a key concern for the 21st century as it affects individual, socio-economic and environmental stability on a domestic and international scale. There is overwhelming scientific evidence to suggest that global warming is a by-product of human activity. Since the industrial revolution of the 1800s, there has been incremental increases in global temperatures which have been reflected through the melting of the polar ice caps and rising sea levels, all of which jeopardise the fragile ecosystems that inhabit this earth (Bernstein, et al, 2007). Furthermore, environmental sustainability and ethical working conditions and are necessary to maintain a functional and thriving market economy, whilst also contributing to the common good of our community, as suggested by Bagnoli (2004), “As a nation, organisations need to partake in providing socially responsible activities whilst selling goods to consumers. If we are persistent in doing so, public good will be served”. As individuals contributing the global market economy, we must accept that the responsibility that accompanies the power we yield as consumers. To a large extent, consumer behaviour may drive environmentally or socially unsustainable business practices, as these products are supplied in accordance with demand (Akenji 2013). Through our purchasing power, consumers can control to a certain extent what goods and services are available in the market, and thus what resources were expended to provide them. Thus, it is evident that consumer behaviour must be altered in order to catalyse an increase in sustainable marketing practices. There is research to suggest that an increase in public awareness will bring about necessary change; others suggest that the costs associated with responsible consumption and a lack of successful communication from policy makers to the public may act as a significant barrier to progress. Additionally, I will
11th October 2013
Responsible consumption is a key concern for the 21st century as it affects individual, socio-economic and environmental stability on a domestic and international scale. There is overwhelming scientific evidence to suggest that global warming is a by-product of human activity. Since the industrial revolution of the 1800s, there has been incremental increases in global temperatures which have been reflected through the melting of the polar ice caps and rising sea levels, all of which jeopardise the fragile ecosystems that inhabit this earth (Bernstein, et al, 2007). Furthermore, environmental sustainability and ethical working conditions and are necessary to maintain a functional and thriving market economy, whilst also contributing to the common good of our community, as suggested by Bagnoli (2004), “As a nation, organisations need to partake in providing socially responsible activities whilst selling goods to consumers. If we are persistent in doing so, public good will be served”. As individuals contributing the global market economy, we must accept that the responsibility that accompanies the power we yield as consumers. To a large extent, consumer behaviour may drive environmentally or socially unsustainable business practices, as these products are supplied in accordance with demand (Akenji 2013). Through our purchasing power, consumers can control to a certain extent what goods and services are available in the market, and thus what resources were expended to provide them. Thus, it is evident that consumer behaviour must be altered in order to catalyse an increase in sustainable marketing practices. There is research to suggest that an increase in public awareness will bring about necessary change; others suggest that the costs associated with responsible consumption and a lack of successful communication from policy makers to the public may act as a significant barrier to progress. Additionally, I will
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