What would happen if (Education for) Sustainability would be a big part of everyone's life?
How could this affect today's economy?
What would happen if people (the consumer) would:
- not buy mass produced (for profit - not for quality) produce, but instead support small, mostly local businesses/suppliers?
- might start growing some of their own food where possible?
- reduce the amount of consuming (consumerism), hence buy less?
- refuse to 'update' items (white ware, electronics and such) regularly?
- don't buy 'throw away' (one use only) items?
- be very specific about buying 'ethical brands' as much as possible (Fairtrade, no GMO, no animal testing etc)?
These are only a few examples.
If the consumer decides to be a lot more choosey about what is bought, 'trends' could change. It's a matter of: where there is no demand for something, there is no business (money) to be made.
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Basically, people can change a lot by choosing to do something or not to do something.
The choices really start with every single individual.
Companies won't be able to sell anything if people do not buy their products.
I suspect that Education for Sustainability is not a very popular subject for people who are in charge of companies who's main objective is to make lots of money from unethical (environmentally unfriendly) practices.
Consumerism has been a very popular way of life and a big driving force in economic growth. A change in this situation (less consuming) is not conducive to further economic growth.
Producing more and more, with people buying more and more, also means more waste in the environment and I believe that this is not sustainable for the planet.
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That picture is great and says a lot. People do tend to have a 'herd mentality' though, and generally the majority like to wait until new ideas become mainstream. The sea is rising and lapping at the back door but still we drive our cars. I guess it is human nature to keep our heads in the sand. What do you suggest is the solution? How can we change the majority?
ReplyDeleteFor those 'in the know' the change is going too slowly but surely every little bit counts?
I believe that the social conditioning towards consumerism has created a form of 'peer pressure' on everyone (any age). I do think though that sustainability is becoming a 'tad fashionable' and that - I just about guarantee - will just as likely create a form of peer pressure to conform to that.
ReplyDeleteIn the tiny village I live in everyone recycles and it feels like 'odd one out' if someone doesn't recycle. Saying that, most people around here are at least a bit environmentally minded (that's a start).
Some people function well in activist groups. I personally don't, hence I do as much as possible in my personal life, making sure that if I serve up a coffee to someone to point out that it is fair trade and grown organically :-) That might start a conversation - it might not.
Then there are the people who talk about it a lot but don't do anything and the ones which simply don't want to know (until it affects them personally).
I'm basically not intending to change 'the majority' but to change myself, my lifestyle and share about sustainability whenever it is appropriate. That in itself is quite a challenge anyway.