Everytime we spend money, we have the power to make a difference to someone, somewhere in the world.
Each pound or dollar we spend is basically a vote of approval for the company that makes the product we're buying so it figures that buying more ethical products sends support to companies who are in one way or another working to improve the world through business and at the same time, other companies who put profit before people.
This is great because it gives us, the consumers the freedom to choose who we support and who we don't based upon our own personal belief system and the issues that are important to us.
Ethical shopping also gives us the chance to boycott companies who are involved in unethical practices, such as exploiting workers in the third world and developing nations, companies with poor records on environmentalism or companies whose products involve the exploitation of animals.
Awareness of such issues has never been as high as it is today in this ultra-connected world and if we can just carry this into our shopping habits by using a little thought and research before we shop, we can all come together to make the world a slightly better place by forcing companies to show us, and the world a little more respect and kindness.
Despite a very few giant multinationals owning many of the world's most popular brands. there are still many alternatives out there from a range of smaller companies who are as just as concerned with treating the world with respect as they are making a profit. To be fair, they've come a long way in the last 10 years but how much are we still yet to discover
I do understand that often shopping in this way is more expensive, like buying organic food for example so this is why we must all look closely at ourselves and just do what we can with the financial resources we have available. If there's one thing I hate in life, it's preaching dictatorial food fascists as they always seem to forget, that not all of the world is able to afford the luxury of non GMO organically nurtured produce. The hungry of the world don't have the luxury of choice, but by the wealthier nations shopping more ethically, we can perhaps one day help to give them that choice. Let's all look at the bigger picture !
The Ethical Consumer Research Association researches the companies behind the brands so you don't have to, and there are a number of websites where this information can be found. It's interesting to read up and you may find a lot of information you didn't know that could affect the way you shop.
Take a look at The Ethical Consumer Website or do your own research, it can be fun !