Final answer:
Greenwashing is the use of deliberately misleading terms to present an environmentally responsible image. It occurs when companies falsely claim to be environmentally friendly while engaging in harmful practices.
Step-by-step explanation:
Greenwashing is the use of deliberately misleading terms in order to portray an environmentally responsible image. This occurs when companies falsely claim to be environmentally friendly or sustainable, while engaging in practices that harm the environment. It is a marketing tactic used to appeal to environmentally conscious consumers.
For instance, the natural gas industry promotes natural gas as a cleaner alternative to other fossil fuels like coal. However, despite the claimed environmental benefits, the extraction and transportation of natural gas contribute to methane emissions, which are significantly potent in terms of global warming potential. By highlighting the positives and downplaying the negatives, industry players can obscure the true environmental cost of their operations.
Similarly, the notion of ecotourism is another area impacted by greenwashing. While ecotourism is supposed to support conservation efforts and the protection of natural habitats, without stringent global standards, some operations use the label of ecotourism to mask harmful practices that endanger the very ecosystems they claim to protect.