šŸ“• subnode [[@neil/ethical consumerism]] in šŸ“š node [[ethical-consumerism]]

Ethical consumerism

The need for system change doesn't obviate anyone from individual responsibility.

We Can't Do It Ourselves

How to live a more sustainable life? By placing responsibility squarely on the individual, attention is deflected away from the many institutions involved in structuring possible courses of action.

This is a very nice analysis of the shortcomings of behaviour change at the level of the individual. Better to focus on systemic failings than guilt-tripping people for making a wrong choice, when it very often isnā€™t really a choice at all.

When the focus is on practices, the so-called ā€œvalue-action gapā€ can no longer be interpreted as evidence of individual ethical shortcomings or individual inertia. Rather, the gap between peopleā€™s attitudes and their ā€œbehaviourā€ is due to systemic issues: individuals live in a society that makes many pro-environmental arrangements rather unlikely.

Newco Shift | Our Consumption Model Is Broken. Hereā€™s How To Build A New One.

Summary

Our consumption patterns have huge environmental, social and health impacts. Consumption is a corporate strategy. We need a systemic change, not just tweaks to consumerism.

Thoughts

Good article, backed up by plenty of stats. But itā€™s stronger on the ā€œour consumption model is brokenā€ part, a bit weak on ā€œhereā€™s how to build a new one.ā€ The plan for system change doesnā€™t feel very fleshed out, with some loose suggestions, and not much as to how we actually achieve the suggestions. Maybe thatā€™s explored further elsewhere.

Notes

Consumption is causing ecological overspend.

Weā€™re heading towards 2 planets worth of consumption for 2030 (where does this figure come from?)

Our modern lifestyle is root cause of climate crisis.

ā€œglobal livestock industry produces more emissions than all cars, planes, trains, and ships combinedā€

ā€œBy 2025, two-thirds of the worldā€™s population may face water shortages.ā€

ā€œ5,300 gallons of water to product 1kg of cottonā€

ā€œby 2050, oceans will contain more plastic than fishā€

A lot of bleak statistics. Places the blame with consumerism.

ā€œconsumption accounts for 70 percent of US GDPā€

Consumerism is ā€œan aggresive device of corporate survivalā€.

We have way more stuff than we need.

Our excesses exploit people around the world.

Basic biology is tricked to make us consume even when we may know itā€™s not in our best interest.

ā€œAlternatives such as ethical consumerism or minimalism are unlikely to impact enough people.ā€

ā€œChoosing sustainable options requires an investment in time and money that only a small minority of people can afford.ā€

šŸ“– stoas
ā„± context