Greenwashing

Match the words with their meaning or synonyms

• Green-sheen = Greenwash

• Frame negatively as positive = distort = sugarcoat

• downplay

• Shift attention from harm = divert

• to spin

• Repackage same product as ‘green’

• to distract

• Reduce perceived harm

• to rebrand

• Gloss over, polish - Superficial eco-marketing

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.8

CCSS.RI.11-12.5

CCSS.RI.11-12.8

CCSS.RI.8.5

CCSS.RI.9-10.5

Some companies use greenwashing to protect their image. They ​ (a)   products to look eco-friendly, ​ (b)   the truth to sound greener than they are, and ​ (c)   consumers from the real environmental damage.

• rebrand
• spin
• distract

Tags

CCSS.RI.4.3

CCSS.RI.5.3

CCSS.RI.6.3

CCSS.RI.7.3

CCSS.RI.8.3

A 2022 report by the European Commission found that 42% of green claims made by companies were exaggerated or false. To cover this up, many brands ​ (a)   their products with green logos and nature-themed packaging. They ​ (b)   small eco-friendly efforts to seem like major progress and ​ (c)   consumers from the real environmental harm they continue to cause.

• rebrand
• spin
• distract

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.1

CCSS.RI.8.8

CCSS.RL.11-12.1

CCSS.RL.8.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.1

Many companies apply a ​ (a)   to their image by using natural colors and vague eco-labels without real action. They ​ (b)   their environmental record by highlighting minor improvements, like switching to paper straws, while ignoring major pollution. This is often done to ​ (c)   public attention from harmful practices such as overproduction or toxic waste.

• green sheen
• sugarcoat
• divert

Tags

CCSS.RF.3.3B

CCSS.RF.3.3C

CCSS.RF.3.3D

CCSS.RF.4.3A

CCSS.RF.5.3A

According to a 2021 report by the Changing Markets Foundation, 60% of sustainability claims by fashion brands were misleading. Many of these companies apply a ​ (a)   through eco-themed packaging and vague language. They ​ (b)   their image by highlighting small changes, like using recycled tags, while ignoring the environmental cost of mass production. These tactics are used to ​ (c)   consumer attention from real issues like water waste, labor exploitation, and carbon emissions.

• green sheen
• sugarcoat
• divert

Tags

CCSS.RF.3.3B

CCSS.RF.3.3C

CCSS.RF.3.3D

CCSS.RF.4.3A

CCSS.RF.5.3A