None of us can escape the downturn in the economy and the effects have rippled through all areas of society. One of the most likely victims of this downturn is the environment and environmental products. A huge growth industry just a few years back, organic food market sales have plummeted, government schemes such as the car scrappage scheme may have been green-washed but no-one is fooled by the environmental claims of taking polluting cars off the road (drivers getting an average 5mpg more than their previous car are not likely to balance the cradle to grave CO2 of building a new car). The bottom line is that it seems in a crisis in the economy the environment doesn’t matter.

The root of the problem seems to be that making products and services more efficient, less polluting, better for health and the environment seems portrayed as a lifestyle choice rather than a system, engineering or technical problem that needs to be corrected- an inefficiency just like any other.  It seems that when it comes to the environment, the mantra is do whatever now- worry about it later- one very similar to the one that has created the current mess we are in.

There are however a few bright lights in all the doom and gloom. Research has shown that around half of new graduates claim they would rather take a job with a company with a better ethical position than a better-paid non-ethical role, with nearly 80% of graduates stating they would not work for any company with a poor ethical record. Although those fresh out of education may suffer a little of an ivory tower syndrome, new graduates and young people are the future of our businesses, it seems as well as brining fresh ideas to the table they will also bring fresh demands about how company’s conduct themselves and  the services and products they offer. Considering the behaviour that has brought this economic crisis about, changes from the bottom up can be no bad thing