Opinion: The journey of a thousand miles

It’s easy to go to a supermarket or clothing store and not consider where each product came from or how it was made. Keeping track of global supply chains is a daunting and tiring task. At the same time, though, it’s important to be aware of where our purchases come from and what their impacts are.

However, from environmental damage to human rights violations, many common items come with less-than-pleasant histories.

Learning about these issues can be overwhelming. When you discover that many chocolate companies use cacao grown with slave labor, that Procter and Gamble creates the same amount of greenhouse gas emissions as 3.8 million vehicles, or that a Nestle CEO called the idea that water is a human right “extreme” while the company depleted local water resources to profit off bottled water, it’s tempting to give in to despair and apathy.

Corporations are massively powerful, and given the sheer number of brands that fall under a single company (for example, Nestle owns Cheerios, Stouffer’s, Purina, Gerber and a number of other brands), trying to boycott any given one can feel like fighting the Hydra of Greek myth. 

So, for people who want to begin being more conscientious, ethical consumers, it’s important to focus on the things we can control. Individual consumers can’t stop global injustices or halt climate change, and making that your goal is an easy way to burn out before you even get started.

Massive changes require policy solutions, accountability on the part of officials and a shift in how we think about what we buy. Unless you’re a billionaire or a lawmaker, these kinds of things are probably out of your reach.

But you can make concrete, achievable goals for yourself, such as committing to learning about solutions in one industry that you frequently use. Make a goal to buy produce from local farmers, or switch to a fair-trade chocolate brand. Look into slow fashion or makeup that uses ethical mica. Maybe you frequently use a product that you could cut out or find an alternative to. You could research current legislation around labor and the environment, and contact your representatives to support progress.

The important thing is to start with small, manageable steps.

It’s okay if you can’t afford more expensive ethical brands. It’s okay if you have limited access to them, or if you need to use a more common version of a product (for example, many disabled people need plastic straws). There are many legitimate obstacles to ethical consumerism, and it’s important to be kind to yourself and others who are facing them.

But by focusing on what you can do, you begin to make an impact. You show companies that you care about where your purchases come from. You may inspire others around you to learn more about consumer issues. You also get to know that you are doing your best to make a difference.

No one is perfect, and it’s impossible to completely cut out every problematic product. But, as the saying goes, the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. And if enough people take that first step, and then another, they can create a movement that leads to lasting change.

Katelyn Allred is an opinion writer in her junior year of college. She’s studying English with an emphasis in creative writing and enjoys reading, listening to podcasts, and baking.

katelyn.allred@usu.edu