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Try this for Earth Day 08
By Neil Ransom | April 22, 2008
One of the biggest problems affecting our planet is over-consumption. Especially prevalent in more affluent countries is the idea that everyone can have everything they can buy even if it is harmful, wasteful, or unnecessary. We have also been taught that progress can only be measured by GDP and that they only way to increase GDP is to consume. It is fair to say that America’s identity is tied to its economy and mass consumption and the identity of nearly all Americans is tied to what they consume. Now I am not going to say let’s stop all purchasing of all goods, because that is unrealistic and never going to happen. What I do think we can do though, starting this Earth Day, is to stop buying stuff that is going to end up tossed into a landfill 6 months from the time it was bought. Did you know that 99% of everything purchased and produced by Americans will end up in a landfill (or on the ground, in the ocean, in our mountains, or in the case of dangerous chemicals in our food system) within 6 months of purchase.
So why don’t we break this destructive cycle by BUYING THE LAST. What I mean by that is next time your Wal-Mart can-opener breaks, instead of heading back to get a second one that will also just break in 6 months why not find a can-opener that will last you a lifetime? New shoes? Get ones that can be resoled. New jacket? Get one that will last 50 years instead of 50 days. New computer? Upgrade your old one. Need a new house? Repaint! Next time you have to buy anything, make your purchase one that will last you forever.
You see, if we can start curbing our consumption of those little things that we all seem to need but which always seem to break, we can cut our total consumption greatly. We can stop spending so much time shopping, and we can start saving our planet from becoming one giant, lifeless, garbage dump. This Earth Day make a commitment to reduce your consumption and eliminate disposable products from your life. And watch The Story of Stuff!
Tagged with: consumption • Earth day • Environment • environmentalist • planet • stuff
April 22nd, 2008 at 11:36 am
I am remembering the prophetic words of Sprencer W Kimball - about 40 years ago, no less:
“Use it up! Wear it out! Make it do, or do without!”
April 22nd, 2008 at 11:36 am
Spencer W Kimball, sorry.
April 24th, 2008 at 9:17 am
As you have probably noticed from previous posts and comments I have made, I am a little more pro-economics and pro-consumption than you. Let’s think for a moment the cost if we stop consuming. If the world slows down consumption, then the economy and GDP also slows down. That doesn’t sound too bad. Except, what happens if the economy slows down. Ultimately, this equates to people losing their jobs. And if people start losing their jobs, then poverty goes up. There’s a reason why countries with high GDP generally also have low poverty and low unemployment. Consumption drives industry which drives employment.
Of course, endless consumption is not desirable either. Consumption needs to be tempered by the capacity to consume. The problem with American consumption is not that we are consuming too much, but that we are consuming beyond our capacity to consume. Consumer debt is soaring, and that does not bode well for the future, if the current credit crunch is any indication of what happens when we over extend.
Now that’s not the only problem with consumption. As you point out above, consumption is also a problem from a waste perspective. Low cost manufacturing and rabid-fire innovations have resulted in a throw-away society. For example, look at the prevalence of little water bottles when cups work just fine. Another example is how we buy all sorts of throw-away junk to decorate for parties and holidays. I hate this stupid cheap junk that we buy as a joke. So what do we do?
My opinion is that we should always look for an economic answer first. The invisible hand is extremely effective when incentives are properly aligned and proper monopolistic competition exists. So, here’s one idea. Why don’t we add a fairly hefty trash tax? If you increase the cost of trash, it will encourage consumers to purchase items with less residue material. This will encourage companies to provide smaller packaging or non-package alternatives. Places like McDonald’s will reduce their packaging as well, because they are the ones who will have to pay to get the massive amount of trash picked up. I think Oregon does something of this nature with pretty good success. I’m not sure on that though.
Ultimately though, the internet age gives me a lot of hope. There are many channels of consumption that have completely stopped for me because of computers. I no longer use camera film or print off photos. I no longer purchase CDs, but rather, I purchase no-waste music from iTunes. I try to purchase software on the computer directly, when possible. The above trash tax may fortify these already existing channels of consumption, which would be great for the environment.
April 27th, 2008 at 10:35 am
GREAT blog - thought provoking. I retired to mexico 8 years ago - haven’t bought new clothing in that time - shop at the tianguis…..only eat produce from the mercado (no bags to throw away) use no a/c and/or very little heat. NOW, if I could figure out how NOT to use a refrigerator, TV or computer, I would be living RIGHT!
April 27th, 2008 at 11:51 pm
Barbara I used to live in Mexico as well, in Chiapas, and I deeply miss walking to the neighborhood mercado with my plaid woven plastic basket and a few pesos. Such fresh fruits and vegetables…que rico! And no need for plastic bags! It was the best. Thanks for your comment.