I’m enjoying a few moments surfing online while E is napping.

Yesterday, I wrote a post on how buying less, not more is a key idea in living green (despite all the fancy new green products being marketed to consumers these days). Today, I encountered a few images from an ad campaign by UNICEF about child labor that anyone who wants to live a greener, more socially responsible lifestyle should think about. Here’s one of them:

Other than I simply don’t need any new clothes, there are a couple of other reasons why it’s easy to NOT go shopping:

1. Do I know how the stuff was made? Does the company who makes [insert article of clothing or accessory here] procure their materials responsibly and treat their workers fairly? I don’t care how good my ass will look in those jeans; I’d rather know that I’m not supporting a company who abuses children or who continually rapes the environment.

2. Price. There are things out there that are more socially and environmentally responsible. However, they are also usually at a premium. Some things, like fairly traded coffee, I’m more than willing to shell out extra dough because it’s worth it to give my support to those farmers. For other things like clothes and accessories, a “want” can easily become a “don’t need” when I see the price. Besides, I can put the money in more yummy coffee and tea instead!

View the other UNICEF ads here.

Filed by Maria in fashion, organizations, shopping, social responsibility