Two recent articles capture the disconnect which can exist between consumers and their engagement in philanthropic or environmentally sustainable activities.
An article in Third Sector magazine reports on a book recently published by Roger Riddell, the former international director of Christian Aid. In his book, Riddell claims that 30 per cent of donors to international charities in the UK fear that their donation is not being spent effectively. Riddell suspects that this is because the moral obligation to give outweighed the lack of confidence they had in their donation’s efficacy. It can be found here.
Another comment piece in the today’s Financial Times gives a somewhat tongue-in-cheek appraisal of the author Jonathan Guthrie’s own experience offsetting his own personal carbon emissions. Guthrie claims that “most carbon offsetting resembles the medieval system of indulgences where sin was absolved for haggled fees.” It can be found here.