Comments on: The Dangers Behind “Corporate Social Responsibility” – Ethos Water http://globalsociology.com/2008/07/01/the-dangers-behind-corporate-social-responsibility-ethos-water/ Sociological Spotlight on Current Affairs in the Global Age Fri, 19 Mar 2010 06:16:51 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.2 hourly 1 By: Andrew http://globalsociology.com/2008/07/01/the-dangers-behind-corporate-social-responsibility-ethos-water/comment-page-1/#comment-182 Andrew Thu, 03 Jul 2008 22:56:24 +0000 http://GlobalSociology.edublogs.org/?p=525#comment-182 Fair enough, SocProf. The end goal should be clean tap water for everyone. Looking over the very long term, if we could generate a reliable supply of clean tap water for everyone, then we could put a cap on the need for bottled water. Meanwhile, I see your point that in countries with clean tap water, bottled water should be used only when necessary (i.e. hiking or cycling). Even then, with a little effort, it is possible to fill up a bottle of tap water, wash and reuse the bottle. Cheers Andrew Fair enough, SocProf.

The end goal should be clean tap water for everyone. Looking over the very long term, if we could generate a reliable supply of clean tap water for everyone, then we could put a cap on the need for bottled water.

Meanwhile, I see your point that in countries with clean tap water, bottled water should be used only when necessary (i.e. hiking or cycling). Even then, with a little effort, it is possible to fill up a bottle of tap water, wash and reuse the bottle.

Cheers

Andrew

]]> By: SocProf http://globalsociology.com/2008/07/01/the-dangers-behind-corporate-social-responsibility-ethos-water/comment-page-1/#comment-180 SocProf Thu, 03 Jul 2008 01:54:33 +0000 http://GlobalSociology.edublogs.org/?p=525#comment-180 Andrew (misspellings are part ofthe blogosphere), you are right regarding the quality of water in developing countries (heck, when I was in Zambia, I brushed my teeth with bottled water), but I would argue that the goal should be to provide safe tap water on the long term. Not rely permanently on bottled water. And while Ethos is clearly not lying about what they are doing, it is a matter of emphasis: their main goal is generating $$, alleviating the water crisis is a "nice" afterthought and more of a commercial appeal to socially conscious customers. In that sense, it can be seen as smart marketing (+ celebrity appeal with Matt Damon). But the contribution being so small, one might wonder if Ethos really having an impact of if it is (sorry, I couldn't resist) a drop in the ocean (lame, lame, lame, I know :-( ). Andrew (misspellings are part ofthe blogosphere),
you are right regarding the quality of water in developing countries (heck, when I was in Zambia, I brushed my teeth with bottled water), but I would argue that the goal should be to provide safe tap water on the long term. Not rely permanently on bottled water.

And while Ethos is clearly not lying about what they are doing, it is a matter of emphasis: their main goal is generating $$, alleviating the water crisis is a “nice” afterthought and more of a commercial appeal to socially conscious customers. In that sense, it can be seen as smart marketing (+ celebrity appeal with Matt Damon).

But the contribution being so small, one might wonder if Ethos really having an impact of if it is (sorry, I couldn’t resist) a drop in the ocean (lame, lame, lame, I know :-( ).

]]> By: Andrew http://globalsociology.com/2008/07/01/the-dangers-behind-corporate-social-responsibility-ethos-water/comment-page-1/#comment-179 Andrew Thu, 03 Jul 2008 01:49:28 +0000 http://GlobalSociology.edublogs.org/?p=525#comment-179 P.S. Apologies for misspelling my own name above. P.S. Apologies for misspelling my own name above.

]]> By: Adrew http://globalsociology.com/2008/07/01/the-dangers-behind-corporate-social-responsibility-ethos-water/comment-page-1/#comment-178 Adrew Thu, 03 Jul 2008 01:47:08 +0000 http://GlobalSociology.edublogs.org/?p=525#comment-178 SocProf, Unfortunately, whilst I am not opposed to Corporate Social Responsibility, nowadays, I suspect that a good deal of what companies brand as CSR is effectively greenwashing. With respect, based on the description which you have provided above, I am not convinced that Ethos is so bad. At least they are telling consumers out front how much they are keeping and how much is being allocated to alleviating the world water crisis. Personally, I would have a problem if they were misrepresenting their contribution, but according to your description above, at least they are being out front. Also, I can certainly understand your objection to bottled water on environmental grounds, particularly in countries where clean tap water is available. However, bottled water has its place in countries without clean tap water. Personally, I live in Korea, where tap water, whilst not causing serious harm, has been known to cause diarrhea. For me, bottled water is the only way I have access to clean, sanitary drinking water. However, I do agree with your point that bottled water should be avoided in developed countries where at all possible. Cheers Andrew SocProf,

Unfortunately, whilst I am not opposed to Corporate Social Responsibility, nowadays, I suspect that a good deal of what companies brand as CSR is effectively greenwashing.

With respect, based on the description which you have provided above, I am not convinced that Ethos is so bad. At least they are telling consumers out front how much they are keeping and how much is being allocated to alleviating the world water crisis.

Personally, I would have a problem if they were misrepresenting their contribution, but according to your description above, at least they are being out front.

Also, I can certainly understand your objection to bottled water on environmental grounds, particularly in countries where clean tap water is available. However, bottled water has its place in countries without clean tap water.

Personally, I live in Korea, where tap water, whilst not causing serious harm, has been known to cause diarrhea. For me, bottled water is the only way I have access to clean, sanitary drinking water.

However, I do agree with your point that bottled water should be avoided in developed countries where at all possible.

Cheers

Andrew

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