Public awareness on today’s climate crisis has shot through the roof with the spread of news on social media platforms, which led to the prominence of environmental protests participated by public figures such as Greta Thunberg and Leonardo DiCaprio. As more environmental activists call for change, the more this generation uses a unique way to call out people who seem to do less in helping the planet.
Accompanying the rise of environmental activism, it seemingly has been a trend to eco-shame or embarrass others for disrespecting the environment. News about land masses being submerged as sea level rises caused by the melting glaciers in the arctic, depletion and extinction of species, and the precipitous decline of biodiversity puts pressure on people to monitor their eco-lifestyle.
Kiwi blogger Lara Wyatt also defined it as an act of shaming someone who is still in the process of shifting into a sustainable lifestyle.
More for less
Convenience and affordability are key factors in people’s reliance on plastics and other single-use materials, perhaps a consequence of the plastic bag-craze that peaked in the early 1980s. Unlike natural materials such as wood and glass, plastic is lightweight, cheap, and durable, but the qualities that make plastic useful to us make it incredibly dangerous to the environment.
For decades, people have sipped from plastic straws and used plastic bags without a single thought, this habit of using single-use containers and packaging leads to the deterioration of our environment that triggers other people to call out those who remain insensitive with its negative effects.
Benildean Consular and Diplomatic Affairs (CDA) freshman Regina Abbariao shared her experience of being eco-shamed during her senior high school years where she had to force herself to stop using single-use products and use eco-friendly products like metal straws, tumblers, and paper bags instead.
However, shifting to this habit is usually costly. Abbariao stated, “Para sa akin kasi, depende talaga sa tao kung gagamit ba sila ng mga ginagamit ko, parang ‘di kasi siya applicable sa lahat. I even thought of others who cannot afford to buy what I am using right now.”
Social pressure and the goal of developing one’s eco-lifestyle urges some to still engage in the said expensive lifestyle in accordance to Olivia, a British blogger who started The Easy Ethical, a blog that is dedicated to pursuing an ethical lifestyle.
Meanwhile, not everyone recognizes this; for instance, a fast food chain staff was annoyed at Alyssa Belda, Greenergy DLS-CSB president, when she gave her own tumbler as a substitute to plastic cups. “I get it naman it’s more hassle for them pero if it’s one step to trying to reduce plastic we shouldn’t mind that,” Belda added. Greenergy is an environmental organization that caters to Benildean students.
Eco-shaming alternatives
Calling people out for not lessening their carbon footprint isn’t the most effective manner to encourage change as it gives a sense of eco-guilt; causing eco-anxiety or the chronic fear of environmental doom that negatively affects an individual. Setting an example and advocating for change are more healthy ways to encourage others.
Swedish singer Staffan Lingberg and environmental activist Greta Thunberg have shown that by travelling without flying, an individual can greatly contribute to the preservation and restoration of the environment as it will lessen their own carbon footprint. “Flight shaming” even had over 22,500 people encouraged to sign a pledge to go flight-free this 2020 as a part of the world wide “We Stay On The Ground” campaign which challenges people to take meaningful action for the sake of the environment.
Meanwhile, sustainable products like reusable straw kits, bamboo cutlery sets, and hygiene products are being introduced by Zero Waste Philippines to Filipinos through their website and physical shop at San Francisco Street in Pasig. A simple initiative like this helps people to be aware of the alternative ways to reduce ecological footprint.
In addition, there are ways in which people can help the environment without merely purchasing expensive materials. Simply bringing reusable bags in groceries, buying clothes from thrift stores, and unplugging and turning off unused appliances are still considered as contributions.
“If it’s one step to trying to reduce plastic, we shouldn’t mind that because it’s for us in the end. We should look at these eco-conscious lifestyle changes in a deeper way not just at the surface level,” Belda said in an interview with The Benildean.
For many, the underlying reason for eco-shaming is to promote change for a healthier planet but putting more pressure on people will make transitioning to an eco-friendly lifestyle difficult for them.
By focusing on creating small steps to make a difference in the midst of an environmental crisis, the battle to restore nature can only be won over by our willingness to change when we choose to make the best decisions now—while we still can.
This article is also published in the first ever fully-online issue of The Benildean: Update Vol. 6 No. 2.
