Diplômé de l'Ecole Centrale Paris, Philippe Bihouix a été ingénieur conseil pendant plus de 10 ans dans différentes industries (énergie, chimie, matériaux, transports, télécoms...). Il travaille...
Xavier Pastor est Directeur Exécutif d'Oceana en Europe. Biologiste marin, il a commencé sa carrière professionnelle à l'Institut Océanographique Espagnol et plus tard a fondé Greenpeace Espagne en...
Elisabeth Laville est spécialiste dans le développement durable et la consommation. En 1993, elle a fondé Utopies, agence reconnue dans le conseil en développement durable, qu'elle dirige toujours....
The chief editor of GoodPlanet Info’s website created Le Courrier International’s green page and took part in the creation of the TV programme Vu du Ciel on the French television channel, France2....
Daniel Goleman est un psychologue américain né en 1946, Diplômé de Harvard en psychologie clinique et développement personnel, il a publié en 2009 aux Etats-Unis Ecological Intelligence: How Knowing...
George Monbiot is a well-known investigation reporter and columnist for the British newspaper “The Guardian” as well as a member of the BBC Wildlife magazine’s advisory board. He is also the author...
Novethic is a resource centre specializing in corporate social responsibility (CSR) and socially-responsible investing (SRI). A reference in social economy initiatives, Novethic organizes exchanges...
Frans Van Der Hoff co-founded the Max Havelaar organization with the economist Nico Roozen in 1988. Today, the worker-priest works for UCIRI, a cooperative for the state of Oaxaca in Mexico, where he...
Tristan Lecomte (France). With a degree from the École des Hautes Études Commerciales (France), he is the founder of the company Alter Eco, which markets products with the Max Havelaar label in...
Christian Jacquiau (France): Currently an auditor in France, he is also a specialist in economics and the creation and transferring of companies. His most famous books are: Les coulisses de la grande...
Virginie DIAZ-PEDREGAL has a doctorate in Sociology (Université Paris V-Sorbonne) and is the author of many books and articles on fair trade. She is currently working on a post-doctorate. She has...
George Monbiot is a well-known investigation reporter and columnist for the British newspaper “The Guardian” as well as a member of the BBC Wildlife magazine’s advisory board. He is also the author...
In our westernised world, an increasing number of people are now adopting new shopping habits which take quality, ethics and the environment into account. To be a “green shopper” means choosing products which do not harm the environment or society. In recent decades, large consumer movements, boycot campaigns and “protest consumerism” movements have frequently encouraged awareness and and responsibility when shopping, much to the dismay of manufacturing lobbyists.
George Monbiot, the famous Guardian columnist condemns this eco-shopping trend saying it has fuelled the current consumerist frenzy at a time when “we should actually be buying less”.The journalist says that although “eco-responsible” shopping may get us to buy ethical, local, sustainable and recycled products, it does not encourage us to spend less.
The Christian Science Monitor is of the opinion that the fashionable trend of “green chic” which has recently invaded the United States has been adopted by well-off American consumers in a weak attempt to appear that they are doing their bit for the planet. Like Monbiot, the article says that most stringent measures and greater commitment on the part of governments is required to reduce the carbon footprint, rather than keep it at current levels. The article finishes by saying: “If something can't continue, it won't”.
However, “eco-responsible” shopping provides s a way to force producers to adopt responsible and citizen-friendly management policies. From this point of view, eco-friendly shopping is a positive step towards raising collective awareness that the environment requires immediate action. Ruth Rosselson, editor of the magazine “Ethical Consumer” explains that our choice of clothes (among others) can be guided by ethical and environmental considerations. There are many forms of eco-responsible management which promote certain production methods and reduce envionrmental impact, and which consumers should be encouraging.
Des produits cosmétiques équitable sont photographiées dans une grande surface, en mai 2007 à Rots - France © AFP
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