You Wanna "Save the Bees"? Then Actually Do Something About It
In today's world, much of the blame for climate change and affecting the natural flora and fauna of the world is placed on the backs of the average citizen. We admonish each other for buying fast fashion, driving diesel cars, using chemical cleaners, and not recycling. We believe that these small acts are the reason our planet is falling into disaster at the rate it is now. However, this is not the average citizen's fault.
The Carbon Majors Report in 2017 stated that 100 energy companies have been responsible for 71% of all industrial emissions since human-driven climate change was officially recognized. The top 15 US food and beverage companies generate nearly 630 million metric tons of greenhouse gases every year. Around 17.8 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions come from Procter and Gamble (P&G).
The typical US household has a carbon footprint of 48 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions a year. This is merely a drop in the ocean compared to the millions from corporations that put profit above planet. We talked in class about Chapter 8 of "I'm Right and You're an Idiot" that corporations and their CEOs have obligations to their shareholders to put their interests first and to make profits, even at the expense of their employees, community, and environment.
Using the Save the Bees campaign that became more popular in the past 5 years as an example, we can see how corporations are only putting on the appearance of being invested in the environment and the bees. Different fashion companies came out with shirts saying "Save the Bees" with cute bee illustrations. The profits from these shirts did not go towards organizations or companies that do work with bees in preserving existing hives or passing legislation that limits habitat destruction and pesticides that harm them. They only make these kinds of shirts to get people to buy them and so customers can lie to themselves that they are helping the bees by buying the shirt.
Even though some companies may put forth some monetary donations towards organizations, money is not the best way to fix the problems bee populations are facing. They could change their manufacturing processes, the chemicals used in agriculture, or donate to candidates and organizations dedicated to saving the bees and the environment. Even with the money, it is such a small amount that it seems they are only doing it to look good and make profits.
In order to make change, we need to pressure these corporations to prioritize the environment over profit because if our bees die, we will be going next, and they will have no one to profit off of.
Claire,
ReplyDeleteAwesome post. I was unaware of the "Save the Bees" campaign. it is important for companies to follow through with what they imply and not just make it a political statement. Partially, it could be the fact that corporations are made up of fallible humans who sometimes live in cognitive dissonance (something the book has also covered) and if they realize it do things like what you describe to make it feel like aren't living in cognitive dissonance. Campaigns like "Save the Bees" need be interrogated and critiqued so corporations know that they need to follow through with the stated purpose of the campaign and have the money go to the proper organizations or people.
I think this is a common issue in society. A lot of businesses like to promote that they are "supporting" the campaigns and people that their products or made by/for, but a lot of the time we find that the money for these products is not actually making it to the campaign itself. Even if the profits are going to the campaign, they are most likely severely cut back and not the full amount. However, the products could help raise awareness. Even if not everyone that comes by these products makes an active change, someone will eventually decide to do so. Therefore, in some way, these products could be contributing to the awareness and the change of a campaign, like Save The Bees
ReplyDeleteAs with most current issues, the corporations need to be pressured into making actually impactful movements and actions. I've heard of the Save The Bees campaign before, and I can't say I'm surprised at the lack of any sort of productive action from corporations. While we can make a difference on the ground, the actual differences that will cause change must come from those in power.
ReplyDeleteAh, yes. I've always found the "Save the Bees" merchandise to be ironic, specifically due to the reasons you pointed out in your post. I feel that this irony applies to many big companies and corporations globally - not only those that sell items related to the "Save the Bees" campaign. It is definitely a large issue, and one that should be brought to attention and discussed, so thank you for doing so!
ReplyDeleteI also agree that the blame regarding climate change issues falls on the wrong people. For instance, I have gotten absolutely crucified for ordering swimsuits from Shein - though, ironically enough, those who have lectured me purchase from companies such as Nike, etc. that have equally as bad issues. I feel like our society has gotten so accustomed to passing around blame for whatever issue, that this is what we have trained ourselves to do in every instance. Regardless of the issue at hand, there's a good chance that no one will actually own up and take the blame - and big companies and corporations are definitely not an exception.
I remember there was a period of time that all I saw was “Save the Bees” merchandise. This ranged from shirts to stickers. Looking back at this promotion, it is likely that half of the companies selling this type of merchandise did not contribute to actually helping in saving the bees. It is unfortunate to hear that some fashion companies did not help a campaign they were “supporting” with their merchandise. I think it is important for companies to go through with supporting a cause if they are selling products related to that specific cause. Not only would these companies seem more trustworthy, but consumers would be able to happily state they donated to a cause.
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