This blog is part of a module I am taking called Sustainable Consumption. It is part of a MSc Environmental Sciences I began at the end of September 2010. I decided to take this course after becoming frustrated with my job and the general disregard for our environment that I experienced in the world around me.
Onto sustainable consumption. As the title of this blog suggests, it can start with you. Sustainable consumption, in its most basic definition, is only using resources as quickly as they can be replenished. However, it can mean a lot of different things to a lot of different people.
In terms of you, the individual, you can address activities in your own life such as driving, food, clothing, electronics, holidays, etc. All of these aspects of your life can be approched in a sustainable fashion. Some more than others but all can be improved.
Governments and organisations can also address sustainable consumption with respect to sustainable development, greener business practices, promotion of green economies, tax incentives and grants.
There are many issues with sustainable consumption from enconomics and infrastructure to cultural and religious differences.
I aim to look into sustainablility in all its facets and try to find ways to increase our sustainability as a planet.
Hey man, thought this was quite poignant, I've put the reference at the bottom. One word of caution though, it's aimed at Americans, however we all aspire to emulate them; so it's as applicable to anyone as the Americans
ReplyDelete..."In the face of a global emergency...we are told to buy hybrid cars, but not asked to walk, bike or make fewer trips, even at the end of cheap oil. We are asked instead to buy compact fluorescent light bulbs, but not to turn off our electronic stuff or avoid buying it in the first place. We are admonished to buy green, but seldom asked to buy less or repair what we already have or just do without. We are encouraged to build LEED-rated buildings that maybe used for 10 hours a day five days a week, but we are not asked to repair existing buildings...we are not told that the consumer way of life will have to rethought and redesigned to exist within the limits of natural systems."
From:
Orr, D. Down to the Wire. Confronting climate collapse. Oxford Univeristy Press, 2009
Thats a nice quote, will definitely be using that in the future! And I agree with it. However, I am also an advocate for technological advancement and (to take hybrid cars as an example) the technology is still in its infancy. Right now the processes may be destructive, but I hope that will greatly improve over the next 5, 10, 20 years to the point where we can have hybrid/electric cars which do not need destructive mining practices to acquire the minerals needed. If this sort of technology is not supported in its infancy it will not progress, the material acquisition process will continue to be destructive and old technology petrol cars will continue to have a dominating market presence.
ReplyDeleteI think consumerism has its place, but western societies attitude towards it currently has no perspective, there is no transparency, no consequence realisation. We need to strike a balance, which is very difficult as people have differing priorities and different ideas of what is sustainable.