Climate organisation proposes Green Friday as alternative to Black Friday
Belgian climate organisation Go Forest is taking action against Black Friday this week in Ghent, Antwerp, Leuven and Brussels. With its alternative Green Friday, it aims to encourage consumers to engage in "sustainable consumption that makes a difference for people and the planet".
"While Black Friday attracts global attention with discounts and bargains, we are taking a different approach," says the organisation, which is usually focused on reforestation. It wants to demonstrate that climate action can be accessible. "For example, planting a tree costs less than a Brussels waffle."
According to Go Forest, Black Friday is the holiday with the most pollution. CEO Sarah Parent says consumers are often critical of companies regarding sustainability. "But to what extent are they willing to take action themselves? On days like Black Friday, people quickly succumb to bargains. We want to show the impact that has."
Low prices, according to Go Forest, encourage overconsumption. "The consequences are diverse," Parent says. "Overproduction of cheap, non-sustainable products, the use of raw materials and increased transportation with more trucks on the road and companies offering extremely low prices often outsource production to countries with minimum wages, where workers live in poverty."
#FlandersNewsService | © PHOTO ALEX LENTATI/EYEVINE
Related news
