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Terms: Global Majority, Global North vs South, Greenwashing
Global Majority
Definition:
The term "global majority" refers to a concept that acknowledges the demographic reality that people of non-white or non-European descent make up the majority of the world's population.
It recognizes the fact that the largest population groups globally consist of individuals from diverse racial, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds, particularly in regions such as Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
Example:
“The term ‘people of the global majority’ makes non-white people’s identities independent of whiteness. It is a term that not only decenters whiteness, but renders it irrelevant. When you hear the term, it does not activate any relation to race or white centrality. The term makes its own relevance. It weaves meaning on its own terms. It speaks to an identity that is free from being in lesser-than relation to whiteness.
I hope that the terms ‘people of color’ and ‘people of the global majority’ (preferably ‘global majority people’) can exist side by side in an increasingly global and intersectional racial discourse. If you are so inspired, please consider using the term in your next conversation on race, equity, and liberation, and consider identifying as a person of the global majority if it is more fitting to you.” i’m Embracing the Term ‘People of the Global Majority’ - Daniel Lim
Sources:
I'm Embracing the Term Global Majority 2020
Resources:
We are not the visible minority ; We are the global majority (Article)
Global Majority; Decolonising the language and Reframing the Conversation about Race
Global North vs South
Definition:
“There is a significant gap between the ‘North’ and ‘South’. There is substantial evidence that inequality between the world’s richest and poorest countries is widening. In 1820 western Europe's per capita income was three times bigger than Africa’s but by 2000 it was thirteen times as big. In addition, in 2013, Oxfam reported that the richest 85 people in the world owned the same amount of wealth as the poorest half of the population.” A 60 Second Guide to the Global North/South Divide, Royal Geographical Society
“The global north includes the richest countries that have the most up to date technology and resources, whilst the global south are countries that usually have less resources and money, so therefore their citizens are more likely to suffer from poverty.
The global north’s impact on smaller islands
The global north produces the most carbon dioxide and waste in the world. After they have produced this waste they use large ships to recycle and dump it in the global south. Not only is this creating more waste in the global south, but the harmful gasses released from these ships are also putting more carbon dioxide into the environment.” Climate Emergency Newsroom
Sources:
What is the Difference Between Global North Vs Global South - Climate Emergency Newsroom 2021
Resources:
What is the Difference Between Global North Vs Global South - Climate Emergency Newsroom
Greenwashing
Definition:
“Greenwashing involves making an unsubstantiated claim to deceive consumers into believing that a company's products are environmentally friendly or have a greater positive environmental impact than is true.” What Is Greenwashing? How It Works, Examples, and Statistics , Adam Hayes
Examples:
“A plastic package containing a new shower curtain is labeled “recyclable.” It is not clear whether the package or the shower curtain is recyclable. In either case, the label is deceptive if any part of the package or its contents, other than minor components, cannot be recycled.
An area rug is labeled “50% more recycled content than before.” The manufacturer in fact increased the recycled content to 3% from 2%. Although technically true, the message conveys the false impression that the rug contains a significant amount of recycled fiber.
A trash bag is labeled “recyclable.” Trash bags are not ordinarily separated from other trash at the landfill or incinerator, so they are highly unlikely to be used again for any purpose. The claim is deceptive because it asserts an environmental benefit where no meaningful benefit exists..” What Is Greenwashing? How It Works, Examples, and Statistics , Adam Hayes
Sources:
What Is Greenwashing? How It Works, Examples, and Statistics 2022
Resources:
What Is Greenwashing? How It Works, Examples, and Statistics 2022
What is Greenwashing? (Article)