This cup travelled over 2000 kilometers from the forest to your lips. Slow global warming by using a travel mug.
Here’s how I read that:
We’re entirely comfortable selling you an environmentally insensitive product, but want you to feel guilty about giving us your money. Plus, [as filmgoerjuan points out on Flickr] we’ve been unwilling or unable to find a more sustainable source for cups.
I suppose this cheeky chastisement might work with the UBC crowd, but I think it just redirects blame away from the coffee shop to the consumer.
I was going to leave a suggestion in their suggestion box, until I saw this:
Until today, I hadn’t watched the terrific The Story of Stuff. I figured I knew their message already, but Sarah reminded me about watching it.
In any case, you should watch it, even if you already think you got the message. It’s a really elegant illustration and explanation of how we consume, and I heartily recommend it. It might insult your intelligence here and there, but I think some subtlety is rightfully sacrificed for the benefit of a simple message.
The other fantastic thing about this project is their 16-page referenced and annotated script (PDF). I’m naturally skeptical, and there were a number of claims in the video that I wanted to check. Now I can reference the sources of those facts easily and in context. So many other organizations wouldn’t go to this extra trouble, but it’s so worthwhile in terms of validating your premise.
It’s no accident that they released this video in the busiest consumption period of the year. I’ve just finished making donations in the names of various family members in lieu of physical gifts, so I’m feeling pretty smug.
