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TechnoratiAmerican Shoppers Misled by Greenwash, Congress Told
98% of supposedly environmentally friendly products in US supermarkets make false or confusing claims, campaigners say
More than 98% of supposedly natural and environmentally friendly products on US supermarket shelves are making potentially false or misleading claims, Congress has been told. And 22% of products making green claims bear an environmental badge that has no inherent meaning, said Scot Case, of the environmental consulting firm TerraChoice.
![[(Flickr photo by Rainforest Action Network)]](http://www.commondreams.org/files/article_images/greenwash_congress.jpg "greenwash_congress.jpg")
The study of nearly 4,000 consumer products found "greenwashing" in nearly every product category - from a lack of verifiable information to outright lies.
Even the experts are confused. Case, whose firm runs its own Ecologo certification programme, admitted he had bought a refrigerator only to find it failed to meet its claims of energy efficiency.
"My refrigerator used twice as much energy as advertised," he told members of the House of Representatives committee on commerce, trade and consumer protection. The hearing amounted to a crash course into the perils of the new green marketplace for the committee. Congress is looking at how to guide consumers through a thicket of competing claims on so-called greenness.
One problem is proliferation - both of products claiming to be green and of certification programmes purporting to back up those claims.
The interest in products that do not poison water or air, create unnecessary waste or unduly add to the effects of climate change has defied class divisions and the economic recession. In its company surveys, Wal-Mart, the chain of low-cost megastores, found that 57% of its customers professed to be concerned about the environment.
There is a constantly expanding pool of products to choose from. About 33% of all new food products launched in 2008 claimed to be "natural", Dara O'Rourke, a professor in environmental policy at the University of California, Berkeley, and founder of the GoodGuide, told the recent hearing. But with around 300 competing environmental certification programmes, shoppers are bombarded by irrelevant or deceptive labels touting the green, natural, eco-friendly, recyclable and non-toxic properties of goods.
It is virtually impossible to sort through the claims, said Urvashi Rangan, of the Consumers Union. "We've got to get rid of the green noise," she said. "Vague and misleading terms should not be allowed."
Labels do not generally say whether products contain recycled content, or how far they travelled from factory to shelf.
Rangan singled out "non-toxic", "natural", and "fragrance free" as misleading claims, because the federal government has never set a precise standard for manufacturers to meet. "Personal care products are the Wild West," she said.
Reading the fine print on labels will not necessarily help either. Companies are not required to disclose the use of some substances believed to be dangerous - such as phthalates, which can cause birth defects and hormone abnormalities and are widely used, from baby bottles to cleaners and cosmetics.
The makers of household cleaners are also not required by law to list every chemical in the bottle so long as it is below a certain level. "Almost none of these companies disclose the ingredients in these products," O'Rourke told Congress. "We don't know what is in them. We don't what the plastic is made of."And as Case eventually discovered, even the most seemingly reliable certifications cannot be trusted.
Case told the Congress hearing he bought his LG Electronics refrigerator in 2007, reassured by its Energy Star rating. The seal, from the department of energy, is supposed to be awarded to appliances that consume at least 20% less electricity than a standard appliance.
This spring, he got a letter saying that his fridge did not, after all, qualify for Energy Star status because LG, in its process of "self-certification", had strayed from the efficiency guidelines set by the department of energy.
29 Comments so far
Show AllTribal people or whoever you want to call them were never "environmentalists". It was all about survival and they did whatever it took. Their impact didn't seem significant because of their numbers, however, early native-Americans indulged in deforestation, over-hunting, and war.
The environmental effects of tribal people from all over the world is documented well enough thru scientific studies, not Hollywood! They just didn't have the numbers nor the amount of junk we have today.
References available upon request but you can just google.
There were the Maya, they caused desertification by over farming. Africa also had tribal people over farming and over hunting.
But, I would not say all tribal people were ignorant of the effects of their impact. They were in the same boat we are in today, population putting pressure on the resources. It happens gradually until, say a change in climate pushes it over the edge.
Natives of North America, wasted nothing from a buffalo kill, and realized that over hunting meant less game close by.
Amazon tribes adopted offspring orphaned from their kills, partly so their children could learn about the behavior and habits of that animal.
People are people, some smart tribes; some ignorant. I'm sure someone among them was vocal about overusing the land. Some tribes got it and some didn't listen.
How things stay the same!
Boy, this is SHOCKING I tell you. Shocking. *eye roll*
"There's a sucker born every minute," as Mr. Barnum so wisely said. But there's absolutely no sucker as gullible as the American consumer.
The best way to make a product GREEN is not to buy it if you dont need it.
We do not need about 80 percent of what we buy. Sounds pretty green to me.
are you absurd? where I come from, people call that Unamerican.
"It's all bullshit, folks. It's all bullshit. And it's bad for ya!"
-George Carlin
Yet another reason to grow yer own.
TRUTH is somewhat transcendental. In fact, most people would not recognize the truth if it was walking beside them. The case of labeling is only one of many possible examples. Does anybody actually believe that candidate Obama or candidate McCain believed the rhetoric they were spewing last summer. We do NEED to have truth in advertising legislation (which does not exist) as well as truth in news. No matter how many times groups try to inform the general public that they are being lied to, the public always wants to believe that 'this time our government (or this corporation) is telling us the truth'.
The link between processed foods, with additives such as 'flavor enhancers, preservatives, and colorations, have been shown to contribute to obesity, and a wide range of health issues. BUT, these studies are not conducted within the US, therefore the FDA discounts them and refuses to try to duplicate them. Health and beauty products contain known hazardous chemicals, which we apply directly to our skin and absorb into the blood, are not questioned by the government because those who stand to make a profit have given them some quick study saying that it's product presents 'no greater risk than the use of product X, when used as directed'. Nobody actually reads the microprint on the fold out paper that tells them not to apply to children under 12, or that the product is not recommended for use for more than 4 days at a streatch.
Yes, our government is suppose to "promote to the general welfare" of it's citizens. As such, the process of allowing companies to 'self-regulate' should be phased out and replaced by certified government inspectors. The general public however, also bears some responsibility. We've been conditioned not to question, not to resist. We are, for the most part, a nation of 'sheeple', and are neglecting our responibilities as 'citizens'. We need to read more and become more active at all levels of govenment and consumerism.
"TRUTH is somewhat transcendental"..........REALLY?
If that's TRUE....how can I believe THAT ASSERTION!!!!
LET'S TRY SOMETHING DIFFERENT.
LYING IS NOT AN ACT OF COMMITTING A M-I-S S-T-A-T-E-M-E-N-T.
IT IS AN ACT OF NOT TELLING THE TRUTH.
"Truth" varies by geography and time, age, and a variety of other criteria. What is 'true' today may or may not be true tomorrow. What is trut within the United States may or may not be true in England, or Japan. When a person witnesses an accident, the 'truth' will depend upon what reference point the witness has. Eyewitness 'truth' is ususally the least reliable in a court of law. I agree that telling a "LIE" is usually not a misstatement, but then again, it may be. Not telling the truth can be an error of ommission as well. Notice I did not mention telling of lies in my post, you've obviously read too much into it. I also acknowledged the NEED for truth in advertising and news. Oh, and since you're 1truthteller, you don't have to believe my assertion. YOUR truth is what you want it to be at any given time but it could change with the input of new information or experience of aging. But if that statement is all you have to 'yell' about, you're easily amused.
As Shadowdancer has just said, there is no way to have market expansion, people expansion and consumer expansion and still have green. This green explosion is obvious bullshit to anyone that is not a half wit. It's possible that more people than let on believe this but it is much simpler to purchase so called green products than actually make a change in their lifestlye to minimize their ecological footprint. I'm sure it's well known to the readers of this site that we can not simply buy a compact flourescent light bulb and stop the world's environmetal problems. Unfortunately for us, most of everyone in N. Amerika seems to keep thinking that we can simply tweak our products, our food production, and our vehicles to make them all green and sustainable. As long as this mentality holds, which will no doubt be until a complete collapse of Western society, environmetal action will be relegated to the sidelines and remain the territory of extremists, hippies, and "bleeding hearts". The only bright side to this is that we are exporting our wasteful ways all around the world. Once everyone gets on board the environment is going to fall apart in record time, as we are seeing, and humans will hopefully, finally, face eradication! Liberate the planet, kill a human today!
You can start with numero uno. Go ahead and jump! Do it! Make it good though. Make it a spectacle. Have it filmed and put on youtube so we can all watch, OK? Might as well enjoy the ride. May I suggest a swan dive off El Capitan or the TransAmerica Building, Sears Tower or from the crown of the Statue of Liberty? Awesome. You'll be CosmicCrushed in the end. Have a nice last flight! Geronimooooooooooooooo!!!!
Now we're talking! I think I'll try some where a little closer to home though...let me just gather my things and say my goodbyes, and oh yeah, maybe I'll look up sarcasm while I'm at it.
Yeah, sarcasm. Glad you can see the humor. Of course I wasn't being serious. It's OK to cut loose and have fun. I think too many people are too serious. It's one of societies problems.
Have you seen any of the youtube videos on extreme base jumping? OMG, it looks like so much fun. Guys jumping off cliffs and flying along the cliff faces in wingsuits. They look like human flying squirrels.
Here, watch this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_F9RJSPnf8A
From:
"Seven Sunny Days" a Matchstick Production.
http://mspfilms.com/store/844
This Wingsuit Jumping video is a clip from the above "Ski" video.
I love this video!
Yeah, awesome. Thanks for the link. Say, you don't happen to be Bill Richardson, governor of New Mexico, are you? Shit man, I wanted you to be president. I would have voted for you if you'd gotten the nomination. You were my candidate, man!
BTW, I love your land of enchantment. I just did some backcountry skiing behind Taos Ski Valley on Katchina Peak, Lake Fork Peak, just below Wheeler Peak. WOW! What a beautiful place!
May the big Zia smile upon you!
No, I wish our Gov was a real progressive!
He talked against nukes when he was in NM state government, and went back on his word when he was Secretary of Energy under Clinton. Now we have the WIPP waste storage plant.
I like him as a politician, but I put him in the same category as Obama, he will say one thing and do another.
I liked Gary Johnson for his independence, he even advocated legalization! Amazingly he was with the Republicans before they self-destructed. (Libertarian might fit his views)
He is kind of a Ron Paul, the media ignores him NOW!
This country, from government and politicians to corporations to news media to myriad organizations is just a nation of lies. Trust and truth has lost all meaning here. This is a primary reason why it can not survive.
Enforce truth in advertising laws.
Then enforce truth in the "news" buried between the advertising.
About the only way to live green upon the earth was the way the Tribes of this land used to live, but that isn't how human beings live upon planet earth except for a few remote Tribes. The cash register world is slowly but surely moving in on them, too, one way or the other.
So life upon the earth is now how life upon the earth is now.
Just another day closer to my journey being completed through this world, whatever it is?
Life is good. What an experience! It's always best to forgive.
Yeah, and you can thank Christopher Columbus and the Holy Bible for bringing genocide and the cash register world to these fine shores, "old Indian". Think it through, man. Peace!!
Perhaps all Columbus & others did was bring a False Christ to these lands as God had said long before Columbus sailed they will killing thinking they are doing him a favor so God already knew people would killing in his name, Falsely, thinking they are doing him a favor. This isn't limited to any one People's, Nations, or Religions that kill in God's name or their God's name thinking they are doing God a favor.
In the history of this land there are stories from within Tribes that Jesus lived with the long long ago before Columbus ever sailed. Even in the book of the Mormons they say Jesus lived in this land with Tribes. When the big land swipe was going on the Seventh Day Adventists, according to my reading, considered the U.S. govt to be the Beast of Revelation. They were looking at things happening from a prophetic viewpoint, but weren't actually involved in the killing.
I wonder if Jesus knew when he said, Render Unto Caesar what is Ceasar's, that while it may look like Caesar is building some really grand swell worldly paradise all it will eventually do is turn into Hell on Earth. Hard to say what Jesus knew some 2000 years ago.
Perhaps all the worldly power that King Herod & the Caesar's had at that time won't do a thing in buying them into the Kingdom, or out of other places? Yet it will be God who casts his judgment upon King Herod & the Caesar's of Rome. Jesus will execute that judgment as the Son is in agreement with all things of the Father, so there isn't any reason for me to judge King Herod or the Caesar's.
Perhaps the forgivness of the Lamb? Perhaps the wrath of the Lion? Who can say about such things?
Just another day closer of my journey being completed through this world, whatever this world is?
Life is good. What an experience! It's always best to forgive.
Look brother, I don't mean to ruffle your feathers, nor do I want to discourage you from having faith. You obviously are a man of faith. But what is your reference for all your beliefs? No, wait, don't tell me, I already know. I read the same book too. I read it cover to cover when I was 12, and again when I was 29. I even used to study it when I was a senior in high school. For about 2 or 3 years I thought I was a born-again Christian. I was raised going to church, and my parents still go and usher and pay tithes every Sunday. So I know where your beliefs come from. It's the Holy Bible. You are big into biblical prophesy, Revelation, Daniel, Ezekiel, Matthew, Acts, etc. I know, I know.
But have you ever taken a look at it from outside the box? I doubt it, because if you did, you would begin to realize what a royal waste of time all your bible studies are. It's pure fantasy. Theological fiction. The church is the most bogus institution on the face of the earth, and also the most detrimental. There is so much to learn outside that box. But they want to keep you in ignorance. So keep on reading, and keep believing. But you're throwing away your potential and keeping yourself in ignorance.
I'm sorry to have to be the one to tell you this. It took a lot of years of sweat and tears and near death experiences to wake me up. It took so much undoing to purge those stifling old beliefs out of my system. But now I'm free at last, free at last, thank God Almighty I'm free at last! And I ain't gonna work on Maggie's Farm no more!
I could tell you so, so very much more, old Indian. And despite how hard I've been on you, I respect you and I actually like you. I'm glad you're alive and posting on Common Dreams. Otherwise I wouldn't know of your existence. You have a unique perspective and unique contribution to make, and I'm glad of it. And I know I'm not alone.
But somebody has to tell you the truth about the Church and the Holy Bible. I don't know if you're going to read this or not, and I don't know if you've read other replies I've made to you. I've tried to outline some Bible and Church history for you. I have studied this in depth. What I've told you so far is just scratching the surface.
I'm just a messenger. Please don't shoot the messenger!
You know how the word for messenger is translated in the bible, don't you?
Peace!!
As I said there are stories from within Tribes that Jesus lived in this land long long ago. I didn't learn about Jesus from Europeans, don't attend their Churches, nor belong to anyone's Religion(s), nor have any politics at all.
The book you call the Bible is a conglomeration of many books, & basically just a referrence book for me personally to show some of Jesus's teachings about the Kingdom that is not of the world of man, this world.
I am merely on my journey through this world, whatever this world is?
Life is good. What an experience! It's always best to forgive.
I seriously hope you don't take the book of Mormon seriously. That is a novel. It's really bad fiction. It reads like a children's story book.
And who the tribes are referring to in their ancient stories were probably Sumerians, Egyptians or early Nordic explorers. You must realize that oral tradition morphs over time. How well do you remember stories your grandpa told you? Or any story for that matter?
Every generation tells the story the way they remember it. No two people will tell a story in exactly the same way. And story tellers often embellish a story to capture the attention to the audience. After awhile it becomes myth. They cannot be taken literally any more.
I like the story of the white buffalo calf pipe woman and some of the old Hopi stories about Mahasaw (not sure on spelling). And Quetzalcoatl, the rainbow feathered serpent. There are many stories about "messiah's", and strangers on sojourns. But to assume it was Jesus? Sorry.
Next...
There isn't anything in the Mormon's book that interests me other than their story that Jesus lived in this land & taught tribes. The story of Wovoca says Jesus visited Wovoca, www.wovoca.com. All that means is Jesus did a little interdimensional traveling that day. As I said I didn't learn about Jesus from Europeans, their Churches, or their Religion.
I've lived with Hopi, & know most all their prophecies as I know most all Native prophecies, most of the prophecies of the Israelites, & the prophecies of many other peoples on back through time. Even interested me when I've read prophecy interpretations by other a couple other people they found in the book you call the Bible in regards to this land as only a couple seem to have found that one, but I am not quite sure they interpreted the prophecy correctly of that particular prophecy being fulfilled.
But before Creator ushered in Creation there weren't even any human beings to give prophecies.
Creator watches. Creator listens.
Just another day of my journey being completed through this world, whatever it is?
Life is good. What an experience! It's always best to forgive.
It never ceases to amaze me how an article with absolutely no religious concerns spurs religious comments. That said, Moondoggy has some absolutely beautiful advice and an uncommon respect that is missing from so many comment pages.
I don't belong to any Religion.
Tribes is what the future holds for humanity.
Except in a more hostile environment.
And by the way, you're incredibly self centered.