Greenwashing

Greenwashing is when when companies make misleading statements about their actions to appear more environmentally friendly than they actually are. Usually they do this so they can get something passed with the government (or maybe it is the actual government) so they’re supported by the public and affiliates.

In our private lives, it’s called virtue-signaling. Being vague about our flaws, which we all have, signaling others to our good deeds and virtuous behavior because it feels good and fills the need for affirmation as a basic human desire to be accepted and supported.

We. Have. All. Done. This. I don’t know one person who is passionate about their stance who doesn’t want people to buy into it with them as a show of majority support. It feels good to have a team behind us. Feels good to be chosen. Feels good to think we’re absolutely correct.

So what’s the responsibility of the ones being signaled? Listen. Question. Verify. Usually the truth is hidden so deep in the middle we render ourselves wrong if we align too closely with one myopic viewpoint. It’s basically a burden of self control to repress emotions in cases like these. What if the one signaling is someone we love? A close friend or family member? What if we’re unintentionally siding with something destructive or in cooperate cases, actually damaging?

Due diligence is the act of taking a comprehensive (including all elements) look at something before you buy it. If you don’t do this in real estate, you’re stuck with those problems after you close. “Caveat” (warning) “Emptor” (purchaser) is what the state of Alabama adopted, meaning you’re taking a big risk not looking into things before you buy them.

Or in life…before you buy into them. So our responsibility is to do our best to pray for discernment, discover truth, eliminate hate, promote healing, and not make things worse. And this is probably the biggest human burden of all…because sometimes it’s not what’s easy or fun or even convenient.

So when we signal…if we have those people in our lives who do question and verify our motives…keep us in check and on a path of truth and healing…we should consider ourselves blessed and fortunate even if it feels bad that they don’t pile on.