eco-porn
n. A corporate advertisement that extols the company's environmental record or policies.
Also Seen As
Etymology
Examples
2001
We're all used to eco-porn by now; those beautiful television ads featuring some natural jewel, during which an announcer with a four-balls voice tells us how much Exxon or some other gross polluter is doing to keep our precious earth green.
—Molly Ivins, “Think eco-porn's bad? Check out pharma-porn,” The Seattle Times, May 14, 2001
1991
But Fischer holds most companies at bay. He is largely derisive of the 'green' advertising that he terms 'eco-porn.'
—Eric Nelson, “Michael Fischer Spurs Coalitions Between Sierra Club, Companies,” San Francisco Business Times, April 19, 1991
1990 (earliest)
We think Earth Day is a good thing. We're also convinced it has some extremely negative side effects," said Peter Dykstra, spokesman for Washington-based Greenpeace, one of the most visible and militant environmental groups.

"There's a lot of 'greenwashing' going on," Dykstra said. "It is frequently pursued most energetically by the companies with the worst records. The dolphin problems have been known for a quarter century. That canners timed their policy change now is certainly not coincidence."

Some industries accused by the environmental movement of the most serious pollution history, such as lumber-product companies, have incensed Earth Day celebrants by claiming to be their allies.

The American Forest Council, for example, a group of timber and paper companies, has taken out large magazine ads that say "For Us, Every Day is Earth Day."

"That goes beyond greenwashing," Dykstra said. "It's eco-pornography. It exploits environmental concern, just as pornography is commonly considered offensive and exploitative.
—Rick Gladstone, “Getcha Clean Gasoline, Recyclable Ketchup Bottles and Dolphin-Free Tuna!,” The Associated Press, April 13, 1990