Good Report On Environmental Studies - Greenwash

The video, Paper Because, Black Market and the other videos in the power point video where designed to point out the fallacies inherent in extreme environmental activism. This video attempted to point out how excessive control creates an ineffective reality where paper becomes a black market commodity. Other videos in the series portray different over dramatized situations where paper rationing, a paperless office, and a totally paperless life are not practical.
My initial reaction was to agree that this paperless thing has gone too far. Then I realized that it had not gone too far; the video did not reflect reality. In todays’ offices, there is still room to reduce the use of paper without creating a black market in paper. Because of this, I do not agree with its message.
This video does not attempt to sell “green.” It makes no statement about how the Domtar Company uses green technology to produce their paper products. Because the video does not make an attempt to sell “green” it cannot be classified as greenwash.
The Domtar Paper Company has put together a clever promotional package with its PAPER Because videos. They have made the best possible use of the information supporting sustainable use of paper products. In their other videos, they mock the reality of a paperless office. On their website, they have a series of practical reasons why paper should not be eliminated; all of which are arguably valid. They also cite how paper is sustainable, renewable, recyclable, and plant based. They call for the responsible use of paper. On the surface, this is all reasonable. Never the less, they do not mention the various chemicals used in the paper production process, nor do they discuss the thermal pollution paper mills can create. They have a clever marketing program that is not greenwash, but it should not work on people who are rational and think things through.