| This all reminds me of the Marine Aquarium Council's move to certify marine aquarium fish which are collected or cultured with environmentally sustainable practices. Marine Aquarium Council developed their standards and expected peer-pressure within the industry would make all the producers and dealers come on board. Didn't happen. Instead, every producer and dealer along the supply chain has come up with their own song-and-dance about how they have successfully addressed the sustainability issue. If questioned by a customer, each producer and dealer can tell you what is wrong with the Marine Aquarium Council program and why their individual approach is better.
At this moment in time, the Marine Aquarium Council is in danger of collapsing and dissolving. Their certification program is shunned. But, in a round-about way they are accomplishing their mission. They have raised awareness and the sustainability issue is being addressed - albeit, in an ad hoc sort of way.
-steve |