Letters

Time to adopt green consumerism

LETTERS: No country is immune from the effects of climate change.

The United Nations launched the Sustainable Development Agenda in 2015, reflecting the growing understanding by member states that a sustainable development paradigm for these and future generations offers the best path forward for reducing poverty and improving the lives of people everywhere.

Sustainable development and climate action are interlinked, and both are essential to mankind's present and future wellbeing.

Green consumerism is one way that can make a definite impact. It refers to the situation in which some consumers demand products and services that have undergone an environmentally friendly production process.

In other words, green consumerism entails the production, promotion and development or use of goods and services on the basis of their pro-environmental benefits.

So, what is the importance of green consumption?

One is about reducing waste in packaging. Green consumerism calls for people to buy vegetables and fruits in bulk rather than prepackaged products, and encourages the reuse of paper and plastic packaging bags.

Secondly, green consumer attitudes advocate efficient use of energy, which help lower utility bills, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enable economies to meet the growing demand for energy.

This way, the environmental and economic benefits have already been realised.

Thirdly, reducing emissions and other pollutants during production and transportation processes. This involves the transportation and industrial sector where it's about reducing emissions from engines and developing clean fuel options.

Lastly, consuming more healthy foods. Through green consumerism, there has been a growing need for more eco-friendly food production.

As a result, people are gradually developing a culture of buying more of organic and local foods, which are arguably healthier because they are not grown or produced using synthetic chemical fertilisers, antibiotics, hormones, or pesticides.

Here are five ways to become an environmentally friendly consumer:

A. Changing the mindset. Use products or services that prevent the depletion of natural resources and lead to habitat loss or environmental degradation. Make it a daily habit.

B. Recycle and use eco-friendly products. Choose to recycle the products we use or use eco-friendly products.

C. Buy locally grown and organic food which can significantly reduce the carbon footprint of transportation and the environmental impact of the use of pesticides or synthetic fertilisers.

D. Be transparent. Organisations must disclose as much information as possible about sources and production processes.

E. Focus on pro-environmental solutions and benefits. Since buyers want information on personal benefits of the products offered, companies should offer products with more environmental benefits.

In short, it's all about us making a difference by thinking in the long term.

WAEIL AHMAD KAMEL

International Islamic University Malaysia


The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the New Straits Times

Most Popular
Related Article
Says Stories