Why is ethical consumption necessary now?
What is "ethical consumption"?
The term "ethical consumption" is one that we hear often these days. It literally means "ethical consumption," but in more familiar terms it means "shopping in a way that is kind to people and the earth."
For example, when buying coffee, if the price is the same, choose fair trade products that guarantee the working conditions of the producers. When buying clothes, choose high-quality items that can be worn for a long time, or products made from recycled materials. These "little things" are the first step towards ethical consumption.
The invisible problems we face
There are actually many problems behind the products we buy every day.
In terms of working conditions, much cheap clothing is made in developing countries under harsh conditions with long working hours and low wages, and the reality is that the products we buy thinking they are "cheap and good" are made at the expense of others. For example, there are issues with forced labor when it comes to products made in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region.
Furthermore, the cycle of mass production and mass consumption places a heavy burden on the global environment, and our consumption behavior is closely linked to environmental issues such as deforestation, water pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions. As one example, the fashion industry uses 93 billion cubic meters of water every year and dumps approximately 500,000 tons of microfibers (equivalent to 3 million barrels of oil) into the ocean (Reference: UNCTAD). This is a huge impact on the environment.
Furthermore, globalization is increasingly forcing small local producers and craftsmen out of business, and there are concerns that local traditions and cultures may be lost as people choose only the products of major companies.
Specific effects of ethical consumption
So what are the benefits of ethical consumption?
In terms of improving the lives of producers, purchasing fair trade products means that producers are paid fair wages, and some products also use funds to develop social infrastructure such as education and medical care, so purchasing a single product directly contributes to improving the lives of people in far-flung regions.
From an environmental perspective, choosing organic products and products made from renewable materials can help reduce the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, protect forests, and reduce marine pollution.
In addition, purchasing locally made products and traditional crafts leads to local job creation and the passing on of skills, and also reduces transportation costs, thereby reducing the burden on the environment.
In the long term, as consumers choose ethical products, companies will be forced to shift to sustainable business models, which is expected to result in the entire industry moving towards more responsible management.
Easy ethical consumption ideas to get started
Ethical consumption is often thought of as difficult or expensive, but you can start with something close to home.
Each individual choice changes the world
You may think, "If I change, nothing will change," or "As long as I'm happy, that's all that matters." However, if more and more people share the same beliefs, it can lead to big changes.
Above all, is it really rich to ignore what your heart is saying?
In recent years, due to national and global efforts and changes in consumer awareness, many companies have begun to focus on developing sustainable products. Our "choices" have more power than we can imagine.
Ethical consumption is not something that only special people can do.
The accumulation of small daily choices is the first step towards creating a better society. The next time you go shopping, start by asking yourself, "How was this item made?"
Representative Kaoru Tsuji
