The Link between Green Consumerism and Productivism
Green consumerism leans towards the consumption of products that have been developed in environmentally benign processes and procedures. Green consumerism focuses on using the mass number of consumers to push manufacturers and other companies into adopting production processes that are environmental-friendly. This is achieved by refusing to consume products from nonconformists to environmental protection. Critics of green consumerism point out that this strategy is hypocritical, seeing that the same consumers have required mass production in the past without much attention to quality (Sharma & Joshi, 2017). Besides, informing mass consumers that a product is benign may increase the volumes of a purchase resulting in environmental damage. Productivism is the perception of increased production and growth as desirable attributes despite the impacts this growth may have on available resources.
Green consumerism is connected to productivism based on the potential improvements it offers to increase efficiency. Notably, the realization that certain environmental challenges affect society necessitates the development of immediate solutions. However, changing culture is a tedious and time-consuming exercise. Thereby, the strategy seeks to alter culture by appealing to the population to adopt ‘green products’ (Sharma & Joshi, 2017). Advertisers can promote green consumerism by enticing existing and new customers to purchase such products. In addition, the move would increase production, as people would not associate excessive buying with negative impacts on the environment. This link between green consumerism and productivism indicates the critical balance that exists between consumerism and productivism in a world with finite resources. Further, the ‘greenwash’ effect can be mitigated with alternate forms of consumerism as people become aware of the environmental effects of using green products. Additionally, it neutralizes the positive impacts of green consumerism, thereby proving this strategy as an ineffective way of reducing environmental degradation caused by the production process.
The efficiency of Newsrooms on Environmental Reporting
Boykoff and Yulsman (2013) note that the truthful, objective, and fair representation of many issues, including environmental matters, has been compromised by several factors. Firstly, more states and corporates are having control and ownership of media. As they consolidate power and resources, they interfere with democratic news production and turn the media into their service. Secondly, the media has increased profit motivations that determine the nature of their content. Thirdly, there are increasing trends in disinvestment in journalism on topic matters. Thereby, with limited funding, journalists cannot perform in-depth investigations such as scientific ones required to explain environmental matters (Boykoff & Yulsman, 2013). Besides, this disinvestment has seen several journalists in sectors not classified as ‘selling’ lose their jobs or get limitations on what stories can be published.
Moreover, environmental reporting is not accurate and useful since profits influence and political interference affect the attainment of truthful, objective, and fair facts that would promote efficiency in newsrooms on environmental reporting (Boykoff & Yulsman, 2013). The media is hampering accurate news reporting on climate change through budget cuts, which constraint the extent of research. Reduced budgets lower the availability of human resources not only to investigate but also to scrutinize available information. Other news outlets develop an ideological bent that restricts reporting on such topics. Thereby, curtailing the ability of journalists and media outlets through these means compromises the requirements for efficiency in reporting (Boykoff & Yulsman, 2013). As a result, very few resources are dedicated to covering science matters, including environmental science.
Impacts of Emotional Responses to Environmental Protection
Environmental protection has great impacts on social, economic, and political aspects with differing perceptions and interests seeking to be justified and safeguarded. Scientific logic and explanations have not always been convincing due to the complex interrelations between social institutions and their relationship with the environment. Notably, emotional appeals effectively persuade the public and governments to invest more in solving environmental issues. More so, the logical fallacies and metaphors help to solve environmental problems related to marine life, air quality in cities, electronic waste, and carbon monoxide emissions among others. Lastly, using rhetorical devices, tone, and passionate delivery, conveys the intended message effectively.
Emotions can significantly impact communication about climate change to governments and other stakeholders. Through the expressions of fear and hope strengthened with rational responses from people who experience first-hand impacts of environmental degradation, governments start to act more responsibly towards ecological sustenance. For instance, when dead and poisoned fish floats on the ocean due to intense water pollution, states have to react to the pleas of local communities who are concerned about their livelihood. Moreover, through social media platforms, environmental protection agencies are educating people on the impact of plastic disposal into the oceans and how pollution endangers several species in different habitats (Boykoff & Yulsman, 2013). In that case, by creating a picture of how current generations are sabotaging sustainability for future generations, governments are changing their perspectives on pollution and ecological protection.
Governments are encouraging environmental protections at national and regional levels through policies, rules, and regulations that are enforced by designated agencies. In addition, partaking in international and global initiatives seeking to curb climate change and the greenhouse gas problem is an increasing phenomenon. However, the speed and extent of changes are slow due to the immense impacts the recommended changes will have on economies and other aspects of life. More actions will help to propel government changes and initiatives.
References
Boykoff, M. T., & Yulsman, T. (2013). Political economy, media, and climate change: Sinews of modern life. Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Climate Change, 4(5), 359-371.
Sharma, A., & Joshi, S. (2017). Green consumerism: Overview and further research directions. International Journal of Process Management and Benchmarking, 7(2), 206-223.