Consumption and Green Consumers
| Consumption refers to the human use of materials and energy (natural resources). The main component of GDP, economists calculate consumption as an aggregate of all the goods and services purchased for the gratification of human desires. Sustainable economic experts look for ways to reuse or recycle materials after their intial use, in order to retain value. Unfortunately, this is not a large concern for traditional economists. Nor are issues of "externalities" (environmental and social impacts that are not included in the price/cost analysis). In general, citizens in developed countries are extravagant consumers and their use of resources is greatly out of proportion to their relative population size. |
 Photo source |
| Green consumers try to purchase products that have been processed with a strong sense of environmental and social accountability and responsibility. These processing techniques include: life-cycle analysis; avoiding harmful additives, toxins, and irradiation; high transparency in the manufacturing process; honest labeling; biodegradable packaging; fair treatment of employees; and high quality product assurance. | |
|
Related WiserEarth Portals
Ecolabeling and CertificationEcological Footprint Environmental Education Natural Capitalism Sustainable Communities Sustainable Living
Featured Resource
Whatever Happened to Green Consumers?
Featured Organizations
Co-op America Consumer Action CA Center for a New American Dream
|
|
|
Tags/Keywords
natural resource inputs, discard, packaging, consumerism, consumer power, consumer protection, resource waste, overconsumption, consumer education, green living, unsustainable consumption, environmental product choice, green products, environmental sustainability, ethical consumption, externalities, life-cycle analysis, greenwash, ecolabeling, certification, social accountability, quality assurance, green market, ecological footprint, environmental impact, industrial ecosystems, advertising, consumer fraud, additives, irradiation, social accountability, labor, socially conscious purchasing, industrial ecosystems, bioregional economies, local living economies, carbon footprint, carbon neutral
|
|
Discussion
Find or start a Discussion Forum and exchange ideas about Consumption |
Comments (1 - 4 of 4)
|
|
http://books.google.com/books?id=82uTUin05uIC&printsec=frontcover |
|
Hello Emma,
I'm no expert or anything, but have you tried googling "The Story of Stuff", "Affluenza movie", "Voluntary Simplicity". Also, have you tried browsing through the many organizations (805) and people (1835) in this Area of Focus?
~Bowo |
|
I am writing a book about positive environmental change, and there is a section in this book on consumerism. I am looking for a group/individual who is doing something really interesting to raise awareness regarding the consumerist patterns in North America and the negative effect it is having on our environment and society. Does anyone have any ideas? |
Hello all,
I am here to provide consumers with the chance of shopping GREEN from home!!
Products that we use on a daily basis that are manufactured by companies are filled with chemicals and toxins. These products that we use constantly in our households filled with contaminants don't only put pollutants into the clean water we use, but as well as are unsafe for our own physical/personal wellness. Think about how many products you may have in your household that have a "child proof" cap on them? What if you could have all those kitchen, bathroom, laudry products with out those caps? Products that you use already that are ecologically safe for everyday use with absolutely no negative impact on our lives, our environment, or the lives we touch.
If this is something you feel you would be interesting in learning more about, please do not hesitate to contact me. Message me directly through wiserearth.org's system or simply email me at zeepsjeeps@live.com">zeepsjeeps@live.com. I am here to provide this knowledge for others to get it across the USA and other countries that there are better more natural ways to follow through our daily routine. I hope that you will read this in confidence and allow me the time to share with you the way to a cleaner, safer world for ourselves and our future children.