greenwash
Misleading eco claims
Greenwash is the practice of making a company or product appear more environmentally friendly than it actually is.
The term blends green (as in eco-friendly) with whitewash (to cover up wrongdoing).
A company greenwashes when it emphasizes minor environmental efforts while ignoring larger harmful practices: Critics accused the oil company of greenwashing with its solar panel ads.
Also used as a noun for the deceptive messaging itself.
Cause false belief
- deceiveCause false belief
- whitewashConceal or coat pale
- spinRapid rotation around axis
- distortTwist from original form
exaggerate · manipulate · disguise · camouflage · fabricate · embellish · disingenuous · pretense
Sustainable product containment materials
- carbon offsetsPurchased environmental compensation
- clean coalTreated fossil fuel
- eco-labelsEnvironmental certification symbols
- natural flavorsFood-derived taste compounds
LEED certification · sustainable investing · bioplastic · recyclable materials · carbon credits · symbolic gestures · fine print
Trend-driven cheap apparel
- oil companiesCorporations selling petroleum products
- bottled waterCommercially sealed H2O
- single-use plasticsPlastics designed for disposal
- cruise shipsSeagoing pleasure vessels
Investigative journalism piece
- watchdogGuard or monitor
- accountabilityObligation for one's actions
- scrutinyClose, careful examination
- skepticismDisposition toward doubt
debunking · fact-checking · investigative journalism · consumer advocacy · lawsuit · backlash · boycott · public outcry
mislead
Cause false belief
distort · exaggerate · manipulate · disguise · camouflage · fabricate · embellish · disingenuous · pretense · sham
eco-friendly packaging
Sustainable product containment materials
- carbon offsetsPurchased environmental compensation
- clean coalTreated fossil fuel
- eco-labelsEnvironmental certification symbols
natural flavors · LEED certification · sustainable investing · bioplastic · recyclable materials · carbon credits · symbolic gestures · fine print
fast fashion
Trend-driven cheap apparel
- oil companiesCorporations selling petroleum products
- bottled waterCommercially sealed H2O
- single-use plasticsPlastics designed for disposal
exposé
Investigative journalism piece
- watchdogGuard or monitor
- accountabilityObligation for one's actions
- scrutinyClose, careful examination
skepticism · debunking · fact-checking · investigative journalism · consumer advocacy · lawsuit · backlash · boycott · public outcry · whistleblower
- Color Idiomsblack sheep, blue moon, red flag, white lie, golden rule
- political buzzwordswoke, wokeness, virtue signaling, virtue signal, dog whistle
greenwashtransparency
State of being see-through
full disclosure · accountability · truth in advertising · whistleblowing · supply chain transparency