I like to think that guitars and music make the world a better place and act as a positive influence, but if I was aware that somehow my consumption of guitars was adversely affecting the lives of animals, or old growth forests, or natural habitats for whatever, or promoting 3rd world poverty or slave worker conditions, then I would seriously reconsider my wood choices and inlay choices. But I know very little about what the environmental repercussions are for my mahogany, pau ferro, or maccassar ebony guitar build. I'm going to have to research into this, or if anyone has links to research, please share.
I truly believe that as consumers, we have alot of power to change things for the positive by speaking out with our refusal to purchase products that we believe are harmful to animals, forests, workers, etc...