When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Go Green

By dictionary definition...con·sum·er·ism

Pronunciation: \kən-ˈsü-mə-ˌri-zəm, -mər-ˌi-\

Function: noun

Date: 1944

1: the promotion of the consumer's interests

2: the theory that an increasing consumption of goods is economically desirable ; also : a preoccupation with and an inclination toward the buying of consumer goods

— con·sum·er·ist  \-rist, -ist\ noun or adjective

— con·sum·er·is·tic  \kən-ˌsü-mə-ˈris-tik, -mər-ˈis-\ adjective

 

 Consumerism is the idea that having material goods will make you happy and successful. Consumerists are the characters in movies and TV shows that are obsessed with shopping and constantly use daddy's credit card. This is an extreme version, of course, because consumerists make up most of the American population. When hanging out with others, we spend our time at the mall...or in town, where there are shops...or in the city, where there are shops...basically, places with shops. Celebrities are huge consumerists, and often our idols. We idolize the consumerist lifestyle, dream of having a huge house and wearing a new dress every day, but really we should condemn it. Consumerism is probably the biggest producer of waste in the world.

• We are destroying the environment because we are consuming more than what is readily available. This means in order to feed our consumption needs, we are digging up ecosystems and nature to get the last bit.
• We are also contributing to poverty by using up other's resources.
• We are creating a social disease where we feel wealth is the only way to happiness and covet the ultimate consumerist lifestyle.
• We are misusing land and mistreating animals because we need to make products as fast and cheap as possible.
• We are creating a social cycle where the consumerist is never happy, and always wants more.
• We are becoming obese due to excessive consumption.
• We promote manufacturers that create cheaply made products that often are made under conditions that are inhumane to workers and harmful to the environment.
  
• We throw away disposable items with ease, never look for sustainable items, and in this way constantly create waste.

You are not powerless to the whims of consumerism. There are many ways to start getting away from consumerism and start a new attitude towards your life and priorities.

1. Make shopping akin to grocery shopping: Do you ever grocery shop with your friends as a social outing? Do you ever do it to make yourself feel better or just for fun? Didn't think so. You should try to only shop when you really need something, like when you grow out of your clothes or they begin to wear down.

2. Ask yourself the basic questions: Do I really need this? When will I use it? How long will it last? Is it worth my money? Could I be spending my money on something more useful? 

3. When you do buy, buy sustainable: Anything and everything disposable is specifically manufactured to only be used once or twice. Instead, buy sustainable products that allow you to use your products for a longer time, meaning you create less waste.

4. Find other things to do besides shop: Many times going to the mall seems like the only thing to do. Try doing something new, like riding your bike, trying a new recipe at home, doing a project for charity, or developing a new skill. 

5. Make a garden: It will make you feel less helpless and more able to be sustainable yourself. It also makes great food, the healthiest you can possibly make! Not to mention it takes up time that you would usually be spending shopping.