This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at http://ted.com/tedx

Consumers buy and throw away things at an ever-increasing speed. This has a negative impact on the common good and paradoxically, also on the well-being of the individual consumers themselves. At the beginning of the 21st century, humanity is confronted with large-scale social and environmental risks such as global warming, chemical pollution, ocean acidification and water scarcity. While some corporations have started to innovate their approach towards ethical production, attempts to mainstream sustainable consumption have failed spectacularly. Palazzo's talk presents the idea of using "stories" that people can connect to in order to change the hearts and minds of consumers.

Guido Palazzo is a professor of business ethics at the University of Lausanne. He is passionate about understanding the dark side of the force and in his research he examines unethical decision making from various angles.