ETHICAL BUYING

1. Is it an oxymoron to be an ethical consumer?
2. I haven't got time, but I hate to support bad things
3. Ethics and your children
4. Does it really make a difference?
5. How can I get started?

1. Is it an oxymoron to be an ethical consumer?

Yes. We in the U.S. consume and waste in extreme disproportion to our numbers in the world. The most ethical thing (in my view) that we could do is put a ten dollar a gallon tax on gasoline for any state that does not have a useful and capable public transportation system in place within five years; take all excess highway funding and put it into something like railroads. Enable a packaging tax and at the same time enable a tax break for those who use and buy locally. Enforce laws on unfair labor practices, and so on. Short of that, as long as we are consumers, we can be relatively ethical by following a few rules and learning a bit from information easily available. I've written several newspaper pieces on this subject and can send them to you.
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2. I haven't got time, but hate to support bad things. What can I do?

A good place to start is the Council on Economic Priorities at (212) 420-1133. And think "local," buy "local," and pay attention to using goods with minimum packaging and transportation.
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3. What principles can I teach my children about ethical buying?

Children understand fairness and younger kids need concrete and visual connections. Show them the labels on their clothing. Ask "who made these?" Grownups? Children? What do these workers do after work?

Next time you see an Australian Granny Smith apple, show them a picture
of a steamship and explain how the fruit gets to your store. Contrast that with a locally grown fruit.
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4. Does it really make a difference?

Yes. U.S. consumers have spoken again and again when we have the information. For example, when Regis' partner, Kathy Lee inadvertently supported bad, foreign child labor practices through her business efforts, an activist group publicized that and thousands of consumers spoke up. A campaign supporting better practices took off and mass media began paying more attention to such practices here at home. Ms. Lee visited factories in the third world. Consumer money talks and yours can too.
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5. How can I get started?

If you now spend less than you earn, you are ready for socially responsible buying. If not, read my note on "I've never been able to save."

You start ethical buying on these principles:

1. Is what I am acquiring built to last? (i.e., not throw away cameras)

2. What impact on workers and what energy resources went into this thing?

3. Regarding food, is this the least processed item I can use?

4. Concerning services, think small. Hire locally whenever possible.
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