Global multi-national or transnational corporations (MNCs or TNCs) have developed to exploit our natural and human resources on a global scale and so arguably threaten the very future of our species as they consume global resources at a growing rate to pursue ever-higher profits for their shareholders. Yet we, the individual consumer, are not blameless as we demand ever higher standards of living and so cheaper products in the shops, regardless of the environmental impact (Zukin and Maguire 2004). Are the global corporations really the sole threat to our planet, or do we as consumers have a central role in the final outcome too? This is also a fundamental consideration to give thought to as you proceed through this module.

For example as consumers we continue to consume and increasingly demand non-renewable fuel sources in the form of fossil fuels. Whilst at the same time we are only too aware CO₂ emissions from such sources and their profound impact on our global climate.