The graph below clearly shows that something is seriously wrong with our economy. Our overconsumption and fixation for more and more growth is killing our planet. You can click on the image to see it in more detail or explore the data behind the graphs here.
The graphs comes from New Scientist who recently did a special report on how our economy is killing the earth. In the report several “key thinkers from politics, economics and philosophy” gave their opinions about why they disagree with the current growth dogma. They write:
“Most of us accept the need for a more sustainable way to live, by reducing carbon emissions, developing renewable technology and increasing energy efficiency.
But are these efforts to save the planet doomed? A growing band of experts are looking at figures like these and arguing that personal carbon virtue and collective environmentalism are futile as long as our economic system is built on the assumption of growth. The science tells us that if we are serious about saving Earth, we must reshape our economy.”
Does the individualization of environmentalism have any merits? Can it successfully co-exist with collective action? Environmental advertising (or “green” advertising) assures consumers that they can evoke positive environmental change by adopting simple habits and by purchasing green goods provided by companies (Maniates, 2001). These include wearing clothing made from sustainable fibres, consuming local and organic food, purchasing hybrid cars or choosing cosmetics made with natural ingredients. However, some environmental scholars such as Michael Maniates have criticized these actions as greenwashing which individualizes environmental problems.
The tension at the heart of consumer culture is that it is a fragile system that cannot sustain itself indefinitely (Varey, 2001). The resources needed to extract, produce, transport, and advertise the products that consumers take for granted are being used up at an alarming rate, with devastating environmental costs. We all know this. Consumer culture has received ever-increasing blame for the environmental crisis, which marketing responds to with “green advertising”.
A new report released by the Met Office and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has come to the conclusion that there is "unmistakable signs" that "the world is warming".
The rapid and continued growth of India's information and communication technology (ICT) market has brought with it the equally growing problem of electronic waste (e-waste) in the country. India generated 3.8 lakh tonnes of waste from discarded computers, televisions and mobile phones in 2007 alone, according to a report by the Manufacturers' Association for Information Technology (MAIT).
Most of us use Google every day. Many times. Most of us are also aware of Global Warming. In fact, our own usage of computers – and even using Google – contributes a little to the climate deterioration. But there is an alternative search option that gives back to Earth.
MyGoodPage.com is a Google-based search engine that utilizes revenues from advertisers to Do Good, as they call it, and right now, it’s focused on planting trees. From the user’s point of view, the website looks very much like Google, and since it’s powered by Google, the search results are the same as Google. In other words, it also works like Google.
What’s the difference? As with Google search, the results include some sponsored results from advertisers who are charged per click. In the case of regular search with Google, all advertising revenues are going directly to Google. When using MyGoodPage.com, Google generously shares a part of the advertising revenues with MyGoodPage.com and these funds are directed towards planting trees and doing good in general.
MyGoodPage.com – Watch the Video
This video was taken by The Civis Mundi organization, which carried out the first planting expedition financed by MyGoodPage.com. As you can see, not only that they planted real beautiful trees, this expedition also involved educational activity to local children in South Brazil, who learn to appreciate nature and become young ambassadors for forest preservation.
What Can I Do to Help?
Simply, use MyGoodPage.com as your default search engine. In fact, many people already use it today as their homepage and the website is ranked by Alexa as one of the top 150,000 sites in the world. If you need help doing this, visit the Join page here.
You can also help spreading the word about this project by telling about it to others and posting about it in your blog, Facebook page or Twitter; learn more about this here – Spread the Word.
