Are you constantly up at night feeling that your job is contributing to environmental destruction?
Then you have probably heard the phrase, there is no ethical consumption under capitalism.
Yet, it doesn’t quite soothe the soul, does it?
Especially when you tell yourself that there are other jobs. Greener jobs. Jobs where they ensure everyone in the supply chain gets fair wages. Where you do not have to fight for that.
But you also like the company where you work. The people are amazing, the work is something you love and you do not have a toxic superior. They listen when you ask for more ethical or greener changes.
Or perhaps you are not in a place where you can change jobs.
So, what do you do?
You work that job and push for better polices when you can.
But Anjali, it’s not eco-friendly! How can I be a climate activist or even care about the planet if I am part of the mechanism that destroys it?
Well, bestie. You live in a system that isn’t built for sustainability, let alone regeneration. We have to do what we can and let our communities do the rest.
It doesn’t always work but it is worth a try. And it can teach you a lot about the company you are working with as well as the challenges of running a sustainable enterprise.
How do I know?
Because in the past year, I have been around the job block quite a bit.
My Brush with A Non-Sustainable Job: Why You Should Trust Me
Recently, this idea of an “imperfectly” sustainable job came up in my life when I was approached by a company that sells artisan-made jewellery. They wanted me to rate lesser-known products to boost their ratings so that more people would view them.
The problem?
The ratings were system generated, despite them saying they weren’t fake.
Now transparency would say I should say no.
I almost did.
But then I saw an almost sustainable company, from what I understood given their vague website descriptions, trying to support artisans by ensuring good quality products got the limelight they needed.
How is it unethical? My rational self asked.
Yes, it wasn’t the most honest approach they could have taken but they are still trying to help artisans and promote green jewels.
Plus, they always answered my questions, provided paperwork to show they were ethical, and allowed me to talk to other reviewers.
Would proper content marketing with reviews from those who have actually used the product be better? Yes, as it wouldn’t have the transparency issue of people trusting a rating generated by a system for products that their internal product review team decided deserved that rating.
But it was helping artisans, my heart cried.
And I wasn’t writing reviews- those were still humans generated- I was just giving their ratings a boost. I mean, we all know to look at reviews over ratings don’t we?
Of course, I pitched that they get real ratings and product reviews like I did for Gift Green India’s whipped body butter. Honest, comprehensive reviews. But until then, I was willing to help them out.
And then, while writing this I was stuck by a thought.
Wait, my head said, this is a company that can definitely afford my rates for a comprehensive review. Then why aren’t they doing the honest thing and getting human reviews?
Was I being greenwashed?
Well, that just wouldn’t do.
And being me, I reached out to the company. And I learnt how badly the system can fail.
They said they had tried getting reviews but were fined by the government because everyone left 5-star-ratings.
Every. Single. Reviewer.
And while the product could have been that good, the government saw it as a scam. Understandable but really they were at the end penalized for trying to do a good thing.
Hence, computerized ratings.
I parted ways with them for I think they did not like how much I was questioning and saying I would rather know product details and review those honestly. As opposed to system generated work.
As much as it is a relief to let this ethical conundrum go, a part of me is saddened by it. I lost a good place.
But it was worth it. To stand up and ask questions is important. If you feel something is a scam, especially if they are asking you for money, to stand up and refuse it, takes courage and wisdom.
This whole scene reminded me that we need systemic change. Not only do we need to award sustainable and especially regenerative companies, we have to protect people working in sustainability. I mean, they were fined, if they’re being honest, for no fault of their own but because they trusted the wrong product reviewers.
And I lost the chance to work with a possibly sustainable company because their work was ethically ambiguous.
Or I ended up earning from being greenwashed.
I don’t know which is worse.
But it’s okay to not know or even learn with time.
And to stand up for what your values at the workplace when possible.
Just like it’s okay to work jobs that aren’t the most eco-friendly. As long as we are trying to be as sustainable as we possibly can be, we are good.
What? I hear you ask.
Anjali, why are you promoting supporting unsustainable companies?
Woah stop there. I am not doing that.
I am saying if you must work at a job that isn’t sustainable, you don’t loose your sustainability badge- if such a thing exists. There are a billion ways to be sustainable, as TrashySisters would say, and some are better or more realistic than others.
I mean, even companies which claim to be sustainable can sometimes make mistakes or choices which aren’t the most eco-friendly but are still the best option realistically.
Want to know how I know?
Because I have worked for such companies and helped them be more transparent about their environmental impact. Of course, sometimes my sentimentality blinded me, but I tried to be as green and fair as I could be.
My Past Jobs: Have I Always Worked Green?
As I have told you, I worked numerous jobs in the last one or so year I have been in the field. Before that, I was a writer and a publisher. Now, I am a sustainability blogger, but I have also been a brand manager, product reviewer, content marketer and just someone who is trying to find their footing in corporate.
Not all these jobs have been geared towards sustainability, some of which I participated in before I even know about climate change beyond global warming= bad.
Imperfect Realistic Sustainability: Job Compromises and How I Manage
After a while of working as content writer, I was able to work with sustainable companies such as GiftGreen India, Brown Living, and Our Better Planet, while running my own eco-friendly venture, Muses_Saga. Most would say I won the ethical and pro-environmental job game.
Spoiler alert, I didn’t.
There were always some products which just weren’t a 100% sustainable. I like to call them lesser-impact products. They might be the greener alternative according to some, say cotton when compared to plastic, but they aren’t the best. Or perhaps I learn the organization is trusting someone I don’t trust. Or they are using conventional marketing strategies.
What do I do then?
Email the companies, inform them, and see if the product can’t be replaced.
And sometimes, I would have to sit with the fact that the “not-so-green” product is the best alternative we have. Such as using digital printing for our books with Muses_Saga because printers only give eco-ink for bulk orders. When weighed against Print-on-Demand, this solution turned out to be greener and financially viable.
Are we trying to be better? Every day.
But the reality is, trying to leave a better world for future generations takes time in a system that rewards a liner economy.
If sustainable companies run themselves to the ground while trying to be green, instead of taking it one step at a time, well, we are just giving more power to those who say sustainability is unrealistic.
Sure, advocating for sustainable living meant I had to say no to some companies and hold my ground when asking questions for others. It also means that some products, no matter what, I won’t put as adverts in my blogs- because I want my audience to know they’re getting vegan, ethical, and eco-friendly products from me. And sometimes, I will terminate relationships with companies I loved working with because they just are greenwashing.
But realistic sustainability also meant I had to do my best with what I had. And it meant that I had to say no to companies which said and seemed to be promoting eco-friendly living but would shame me for wanting to be paid for my work. Then again, isn’t paying people for their work sustainable? You tell me.
For me, the imperfect and healthy solution is giving people enough information and allowing them to choose whether they click on an affiliate link or not. Whether they think a product is valuable or not. It means, trying to set up circular supply chains instead of hyper-fixating on the “most” eco-friendly raw material alone. For my books, it means having recycled paperbacks, e-books, and green servers hosting free reading. But to support publishers with whom I began my journey, I also have some books on NotionPress‘ Print on Demand, agro-forestry based paper. As long as it’s not completely unsustainable, I can live by it. Though, my preference is not killing tress when I can avoid it- which is slightly weird, I agree.
As I said, true sustainability for me means giving people options when I can.
It means innovation.
It means creativity.
And I truly feel that is the need of the hour. Sustainable and imperfect options.
Also, if you are wondering about this blog, the adverts I put, not those by WordPress, are almost a 100% sustainable according to my standards. These are the affiliate links. But if it’s a product review affiliate link, it is what the product is. And the sustainable stores can leave a bit to be desired or not. I just look at the product. But let’s return to what the blog is about. Jobs.
Of course, some jobs are just bad. There is no justifying them. Yet, most jobs, in my opinion, fall in what my therapist called “the grey zone”. For example, when I wrote product descriptions for cotton products at a sustainable e-commerce store.
Yes, cotton is water-intensive and conventional cotton causes harm via surface run-offs. But it is also biodegradable under the right circumstances and does not release microplastics. Will I support conventional cotton tote bags? Unlikely.
But a cotton shirt made by local artisans using traditional techniques that gives funds to women-owned businesses?
As long as I inform consumers that this cotton has the environmental impact it does, I would definitely support it. And as a content writer, I had the power to make sure that information could communicated while also promoting other greener items the store carried. Isn’t that better than just leaving?
Of course, leaving isn’t wrong but I would rather inform consumers and promote a company’s genuine green efforts. Informed people are more eco-friendly people, I feel.
We get to decide where our boundaries with unsustainable items are. I won’t work with fresh leather but I might write for a thrifted leather jacket. You might not. And that’s just as fine. And so is promoting a leather jacket in a honest way while looking for ways to educate consumers and help the company reduce their negative impact.
We have options, as long as, as ReLaurn says we cancel each other less.
Trust me, until I learned that, I struggled a lot. And not just with sustainable living or green companies. Let me tell you about Publisher Growth.
It is an amazing company with the goal to empower bloggers and website owners to monetize their websites.
What’s the issue you ask? It doesn’t sound unethical or polluting.
Well, while it empowers bloggers, they might not necessarily be sustainability bloggers. The adverts definitely weren’t always eco-friendly and we did not have much control over what the monetizing partners put out. Sometimes they even promoted fast fashion. The horror.
I almost quit but then I thought- here is a chance to make a change. When working there, I chose advocacy and imperfect sustainability.
I did what I could- I informed the company, set down boundaries where I had to, and reminded myself, the company isn’t paying these advertisers. Nor am I.
We are empowering young writers instead.
And let’s be honest, many of those whose targeted ads lead to fast-fashion probably would have bought that item anyway.
It would be much more efficient for me to try and help bloggers who are into sustainability monetize their blogs. Or ask the non-eco-friendly ones, to look into the topic and how it pertains to their audience when they come asking for our services.
This could lead to more people, even those not looking for eco-content, to hear about sustainability. It could lead to change.
See, imperfect sustainability. Realistic sustainability. Healthy and responsible sustainability.
Why Am I Sharing This?
Rachel Lawton and my friend and family’s advice along with Relauren’s content helped me realize that sustainable jobs are a process. Just like eco-friendly living. Life showed me there are almost always a million ways to be sustainable when working in a conventional company as long as I stayed true to my morals of being honest with my readers. Now I want to carry the torch forward so as to say, and help you.
Yes, it is best if we work green jobs.
But if that’s not an option for you, remember sustainability is people and planet. And you’re people. As long as you are not actively hurting another person or animal, you are doing okay. You got it, bestie.
And here’s what you can do to make your current job greener.
What to do When Working an Amazing Job That Could Be More Sustainable
It is okay to work a non-sustainable job. You can help it still be eco-friendly by advocacy, innovation, and honesty.
You can grow over time.
And as mentioned, one thing you can definitely do, is advocate for better practises in your current company. Who knows someone you thought didn’t care, when made aware, could just innovate something wonderful?
You can try emailing your bosses. Or you can live an eco-conscious life and talk about it with your collegues. Maybe it’ll inspire them to go green too.
Yes, that advocacy takes courage. Maybe standing up isn’t comfortable for you and that’s fine. You can simply live a green life as far as possible. As Shelby Orme says, do your best and advocate for the rest.
After all, as queerbrownvegan once said, there is no completely sustainable job. For everything we do has an impact on the planet. This blog you’re reading? It requires a server, which I have no control over, that could potentially be using energy derived from fossil fuels. The platform puts out ads and uses cookies, which means some people might get ads that aren’t green. Same for my YouTube videos. While Google is trying to green their operations, people still get ads for all sorts of brands.
As they should.
For some people, those brands are the only option. And until we can make sustainability accessible, they are here to stay.
And you know what? Climate conscious people in non-eco-friendly jobs are crucial.
What?
How can that be?
Well, here’s…
Why We Need Environmentalists in Non-Green Jobs
Because we need people who care about the environment in every sector to promote and fight for green policies.
Let me explain with an example from my career.
I use YouTube to push out videos promoting realistic sustainability. But not all ads on YouTube are of eco-friendly products and while the site is trying to go green, they are still promoting fast-fashion. Can I switch to a lesser-known video site which is more sustainable?
I mean there is no one stopping me from taking that option.
But I won’t.
It will take my message to an eco-chamber of people who are already looking for planet-friendly content. While YouTube, allows me to reach a wider audience.
After all, we need to talk about sustainability in places where everyone can listen to it. Or as many as possible.
It is the most effective solution. A million imperfect low-wasters are better than ten perfect ones at the end of the day. And I can learn more about the challenges people might face trying to switch to green living if I am in a place where people who haven’t made the switch are present.
Which is why I stand by the fact that instead of individual action systematic change is required. Because while consumers and creators have power, to make low-impact living a reality for everyone, we need options and we need to transition to greener economic models.
We need to make sustainability accessible.
Because in a system that is not designed for it healthy and realistic sustainability is imperfect. Hell, it would still be in a perfect system but less so perhaps.
And as someone into marketing and content writing for me this imperfection is a tight-rope to balance on. I have to promote products which means consumption while actively discouraging shopping for items that don’t add value to people’s lives. Yet, that is the point of marketing too, because we have to push products to those who actually need it over just asking everyone to grab it.
Which leads me to wonder, how did marketing become what it is today? And can we make marketing sustainable? How far do we share trade secrets in the name of transparency? What about getting family and friends to review our work- even when they are reviewing it on its merits? And techniques like SEO, do we tell the audience we have used them when everyone knows people use them.
But how to make marketing sustainable and how far can that go is the topic for another blog.
Until then, we have to remind ourselves that sustainability is a long-term process and beyond that is regenerative living. Both imperfect in our current system despite how sorely needed they are.
So instead of shaming ourselves and others, let us come together to advocate for a green system in both our jobs and a larger scale.
What do you think? Are you going to advocate for Corporate Social Responsibility and green policies in your company? Let me know in the comments!
Author’s Note: Thanks for reading! If you could review or share, it would mean a lot. The option to pay for what you read, if you wish to do that, can be accessed by scanning the QR below. Thanks for your contribution. Keep going green!
