Unethical consumerism: A question of conscience or weak regulatory authorities

Massive factories and multinational corporations (MNCs) are producing more goods than ever to meet global demand—but at what cost to our planet? The environmental impacts of these large-scale industrial activities, such as air and water pollution, deforestation, loss of biodiversity, and rising global temperatures are regressing the world back from its climate commitments and sustainable development. The question remains as to what can be done to reduce this damage while still meeting global production needs? Can a people centric approach towards consumption culture help create sustainable environment?

On Friday, February 28, 2025, a grassroots movement called The People's Union USA organized a nationwide "economic blackout" in the United States. This 24-hour protest aimed to challenge corporate greed and advocate for economic justice by encouraging consumers to abstain from shopping at major retailers, including Amazon, Walmart, and fast-food chains. Participants were also urged to avoid gasoline purchases and refrain from using credit or debit cards for non-essential spending.

The initiative, led by founder John Schwarz, sought to demonstrate the collective power of consumers and highlight concerns over rising prices and corporate influence on the economy. While the economic impact of the blackout was debated, with some analysts suggesting limited effects due to the short duration, the event succeeded in sparking discussions about consumer rights and corporate responsibility. ​

Following this event, The People's Union USA announced plans for additional economic actions, including targeted boycotts of specific corporations like Nestlé, General Mills, and McDonald's, aiming to continue advocating for systemic economic reforms.

This manifested a decrease in unethical consumerism while pressurizing Big Corporations. It is also important to note how companies are greenwashing to promote deceptive marketing tactic by exaggerating or fabricating its environmental efforts to appear more sustainable than it really is.

It is also due to increased globalization of MNCS throughout the world which can bypass environmental laws and have untracked outsourcing. Products are made in the global south, where environmental and labor laws are not strictly implemented, making it hard to trace where things go wrong. Outsourcing in the periphery states can hide exploitative labor or environmental damage within the global supply chain. International Labour Organization (ILO) published a report titled "Profits and Poverty: The Economics of Forced Labour" , stating " Forced labor in the private economy generates an estimated $236 billion in illegal profits annually. This figure represents a 37% increase from previous estimates in 2014." The highest annual illegal profits from forced labor are observed in:

Central Asia ($84 billion)

Asia and the Pacific ($62 billion)

the Americas ($52 billion)

Africa ($20 billion)

Arab States ($18 billion)