The Guyana Consumers Association believes it is essential that governments and the business sector everywhere commit to implementing policies that guide us onto a sustainable course. It is equally essential that consumers everywhere are empowered and encouraged to act in relation to climate change.
Since the 1980s the World Consumer Movement, (Consumers International) has promoted a set of consumer rights and responsibilities, which describe a balancing act between fulfilling basic needs, promoting quality of life now and avoiding harm to the lives of future consumers.
We’ve long argued that consumers and producers should act responsibly, and not just in the name of individual or corporate philanthropy. Indeed, in a survey of Consumer International member organisations in 115 countries in 2006, sustainable consumption was seen as the number one international campaigning issue.
That’s not surprising, when the consumers, our members, work to inform and protect and largely because of globalisation have also become increasingly interested in credible information about the impacts of products and services, and the businesses that provide them.
In particular, the dilemma for the ethical consumer is how to make pro-development and pro-environment choices. It is becoming evident that the intersection between consumption, development and environment is a key area of present and future decision-making. As governments, corporations and the public seek solutions to this tripartite conundrum, the debate must remain honest, informed, inclusive, and, above all, fair.
This is especially important if consumers are to retain faith and assurance in government initiatives and corporate claims regarding climate change.
After government and industry, consumers are the third front in the fight against climate change. Consumers increasingly want to act responsibly, but to have any chance of doing so, they must be fully supported by corporations and politicians. As the ‘What Assures Consumers’ study shows, this begins with clear guidance on what the public can do, the removal of environmentally damaging products, and third-party verification of corporate claims on global warming. Only then can consumers begin to turn their climate concerns into effective purchasing choices.
