Consumer Power – The Power of Labelling
24. Company duty to inform: For each product or service, consumers shall be informed of the biosphere and human impact of its sourcing, manufacture, distribution, and post-use treatment.
As consumers, we have more power than we might think. We not only vote with our wallets, but our consumption is conspicuous, and contributes to setting a tone across society – and this is a secondary and perhaps more powerful effect. And change is possible – look at how perception of veganism has shifted, in a relatively short amount of time, from being seen as a fringe activity paraded by the pious few, to a reasonable and accepted option for the main stream, who are now interested in personal and planet health.
In thinking about this episode, three things struck me. Firstly – out of sight, out of mind. Beautiful products mask less beautiful realities involved in their creation. To make choices, we need to know about them. Secondly, the scale of the challenge. The vastness of it. When you research and think about the some industrial activities, the sheer scale of it is staggering. And thirdly – it’s the job of the system to shove the big picture right in people’s faces: if information is clear and present at the point of decision – which, for products means the point of purchase – then consumer choices are not only more straight-forward, but there is potential for a major shift in standards, both for us, and for our world.
Talking points:
- This is not a guilt trip: it’s about free choice
- Neo-freudian advertising and marketing
- Oil fields the size of France, undersea mining the size of Europe
- This principle is very simple: it’s about attention
- It’s not just the system, there’s also just bad practice
- The world can’t run on company lies
- Labelling can make the difference: it tells you what you are doing
- Carbon trading, bio-fuels and true effects
- Styles of labelling: medicine info, tobacco images, energy ratings
- Fourth separation of powers: holding large companies to account
- Gaming in the system – civil society, the media and change
- The other 25 principles will provide a strong context
- The Freedom Pollute in context: as a last freedom
- Systems thinking meets governance
Links:
Earthtime story on undersea mining (2019). View on a desktop, requires patience and engagement – but will be rewarded in spades:
https://earthtime.org/stories/ocean_mining
Other Earthtime stories:
https://earthtime.org/#stories
Economist podcast on the environment:
https://www.economist.com/podcasts/2021/09/20/to-a-lesser-degree-a-new-climate-podcast-from-the-economist
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