Thanks to Huw Neale, Managing Director of Action Sports Europe and a member of the Professionals for Adventure LinkIn group for bringing this article to our attention. He wrote: "A study by Ethical Consumer Magazine found that outdoor gear is causing damage to the environment raising further doubts whether companies who provide a green and wholesome image care too much for profits rather than their ethical stance."
Here's a link to the "Ethical Consumer Research Finds Outdoor Gear to be Environmentally Toxic and Unethical" article on the Action Sports Europe Web site. The study brings up some very interesting points. Do you think it's on target? Was enough research done? Do you have a contrasting viewpoint? Read it and let us know what you think.
The last paragraph of the article says it all. Shining the light on environmentally unfriendly or unethical practices by any companies, serves the purpse of encouraging them if not humiliating them into, finding more responsible ways of conducting business. Bravo for this study and important future studies in transparency.
Agreed Tim,
The study was not strong enough to conclude reliable and valid results.
But every cloud has a silver lining – it sparked much debate. The EOG have started their own eco index with 80 companies involved. I think this is an excellent idea and will draw stronger conclusions on where the industry is doing well and where they need to improve.
Check out the EOG Eco-index here http://www.actionsportseurope.com/companyzone/eco-index-pilot-program-draws-80-companies-ar347