Environmental Accountability

Illustration by Maeghan McKenzie

WIt is easy to blame corporations when it comes to environmental issues like climate change or waste production. There is an opportunity that we might play a role in these issues.

Corporate Responsibility

It is undisputed that big corporations have had a significant impact on our environment. Unpublished U.N. study that was published by The GuardianIt has been shown that $2.2 trillion of environmental damage is caused annually by large public corporations.

Amazons 2020 Annual Sustainability ReportThe company produces 60.64 million tonnes of carbon dioxide.

Despite the harm caused by these corporations, there is little accountability for their actions.

Enid Cardinal is the senior advisor to President for Strategic Planning and Sustainability at RIT.

Obviously [with companies]Cardinal stated that there is no accountability. For decades, the fossil fuel industry has attempted to undermine scientific findings about climate change. [with companies]Cardinal stated that there is no accountability. Since the 1970s, the fossil fuel sector has attempted to undermine scientific evidence on climate change.

Many oil and gas companies have had a negative impact on the environment.2010 Deepwater Horizon Spill in the Gulf of MexicoIt killed 1,000,000 sea birds, 5,000 sea mammals, and 1,000 turtles.

It’s easy to point out all the problems caused by corporations, but there are also steps they are taking to ensure environmental stability.

Amazon is one of the companies that are working to make their business more sustainable. However, they have a long way to travel before they achieve this goal.

One of the biggest challenges in making corporations more sustainable is the complexity of the global environmental crisis. While some companies make a leap forward, others take a step back.

Amazon may offer renewable packaging options, but they still pollute the environment with their delivery service and the number of cars they have on the road.

The problem in corporations is the lack care shown by those in leadership positions. If they don’t advocate for changes, there won’t be any.

Neha Sood is the assistant director for Campus Sustainability at RIT. She pointed out that not all corporations can be considered bad when it comes to environmental sustainability.

This is a great example of a company that does this. [environmentalsustainability]Sood explained that B Corps or benefit corporations are B Corps.

B CorpsThese are companies that have been granted a certificate indicating their highest standard of environmental and social performance. B Corps certification is awarded to Danone and Unilever.

Companies like Patagonia (a B Corp) have used The New York Times to advertise their products. [to say]Don’t buy our stuff. [instead]Cardinal explained that you can resell it or use it again.

While many corporations are causing environmental damage, others like Patagonia are actually working for positive changes.

How we play a role

It is common for people to not acknowledge their contribution when discussing environmental issues.

Most people know that recycling is important and litter is not. Maybe someone has even told you to avoid using plastic straws because they harm turtles.

Spending money can have a ripple effect on the environment.

Big corporations don’t have a lot of incentive to care about the environment from a business perspective. Many consumers continue to buy less environmentally friendly products and support corporations that contribute towards climate change.Studies have shownOnly 37 percent of consumers are willing and able to pay 5 percentage more for environmentally friendly products.

There is not much incentive to sell eco-friendly products as they aren’t in high demand.

Part of [environmental sustainability]Cardinal said that it is important to have an educated consumer base in order to drive some of this change.

Part of [environmentalsustainability]To drive some of this change, we need a educated consumer base.

By continuing to support companies and products that harm the environment, this enables environmentaldestruction. If we have the opportunity, it is important to be more aware of what products we buy. We have the option to make our own products or substitute for existing ones.

Many of the products we use, personal care items, we could make our own shampoos, Sood stated. [Shampoo]Although it was created to generate income, vinegar can easily be substituted at home.

People don’t use supplementshampoo because they don’t know or have misconceptions about it.

“People are used this idea. If there’s no lather, then they get it.” [shampoo]Sood stated that you should not clean your hair. “But the truth is that lathers made with components that are harmful for your hair and the environment can be damaging to your hair, for the planet and everything.”

Finding a solution

It won’t solve any problems if you blame others. We need to have more communication between consumers and corporations.

We must voice our concerns for the environment, and send the message to companies.

It is important to note that people want to live a more sustainable existence or avoid supporting companies which harm the environment. However, they run into roadblocks.

Lily Ready, a second-year Game Development and Design major at RIT, spoke about her struggles with not wanting to support Amazon.

While I try to avoid Amazon, I still have to shop there for certain items. My laptop charger broke, and I really needed it. It’s only available through Amazon.

In addition, environmentallyfriendly products are significantly more expensive and some people may not be able to afford them.

Companies could reduce the prices of environmentally friendly products and produce more. This would solve this problem. Both consumers and businesses can help the environment by doing this.

Consumers [can help make change]Sood stated that corporations can drive change. There are so many ways that this can happen.

Consumers [can help make change]Corporate change can be driven by corporations. There are many ways for change to occur.