Our economies and our jobs depend on mass consumption, argues Oliver Williams. If we all consume less to save the planet, the economy will tank and millions will lose their jobs. The answer is not frugality, but reductions in population.
… Anti-consumerism is not enough Oliver Williams | … 2014 Comment Green Economy Economics Society Consumerism nanyuki-market-kenya.jpg Our … of green jobs, those who advocate anti-consumerism alone as the solution to …
There is a simple solution to the problems of rampant consumerism, debt and a lifetime of servitude, writes Samuel Alexander - radical down-sizing to a truly tiny house. For a start, it's only big enough for the things you really need. And it's so cheap to build, that it's paid for from a month or two's salary. Just one question - what will you do with your freedom?
… Sick to death of consumerism and debt? Find freedom in a tiny … January 2015 Ethical Living Building Finance Consumerism tiny-houses-nc-cut.jpg This is the … a simple solution to the problems of rampant consumerism, debt and a lifetime of servitude, …
Civil society may have been kept out of the COP21 conference centre, even forbidden to march on the streets, writes Thomas Dekeyser. But climate activists have found an new means of expression: the 'Brandalism' of 600 advertisements in bus shelters across Paris, replacing corporate brand-building with subversive messages on climate and consumerism.
… December 2015 Activism COP21 Climate Change Consumerism Media Protest Corporations … with subversive messages on climate and consumerism. It's 72 hours before the official … light of environmental friendliness? BUGA.UP consumerism! The cultural jamming practice of …
How can we reduce our ever increasing throughput of raw materials? By breaking out the the 'iron cage of consumerism', writes Mariale Moreno: make things to last - whether clothes, houses, cars, or washing machines. Join a car club. Share domestic appliances with neighbors. And bring back the laundromat!
… 13th March 2014 Ethical Living Green Economy Consumerism Waste Recycling laundromat-cut.jpg … By breaking out the the 'iron cage of consumerism', writes Mariale Moreno: make … yet we're still locked into an ' iron cage of consumerism '. Shifting to a future in which …
The Encyclical published today by Pope Francis represents a profound religious and philosophical challenge to the mainstream narratives of our times, writes Steffen Böhm, and a major confrontation with the great corporate, economic and political powers, as it spells out the potential of a new world order rooted in love, compassion, and care for the natural world.
… 23) Challenging the logic of the market and consumerism This stands in stark contrast to, … - attack on the logic of the market and consumerism, which has been expanded into all … Since the market tends to promote extreme consumerism in an effort to sell its products, …
Easter is a time when - chocolate munching aside - it's still possible to take a step back from consumer-capitalism, writes Frederick Trainer, and pause to think where it's getting us. The sad fact is that so long as society is driven by consumerism, our society can never be ecologically sustainable or just.
… us Frederick Trainer | 3rd April 2015 Comment Consumerism Society Green Economy Economics … fact is that so long as society is driven by consumerism, our society can never be …
China's growing 'bling' culture has taken off big time, writes Thembi Mutch - yet it is widely reviled among ordinary people who in the face of China's industrial boom hold resolutely to traditional values of economy and frugality, quietly yearning for the old days of clean air and safe, wholesome food to fill their stomachs.
… April 2015 News China Food Pollution Health Consumerism cycling-beijing-put.jpg China's … for Chinese expansion, development and consumerism. Unfortunately, these …
We have a problem, writes Samuel Alexander. Even the most eco-friendly rich world lifestyles are overconsuming resources and over-dumping wastes. To put us on track to 'single planet living' will mean far deeper changes than any yet envisaged, including deliberate 'degrowth'' and the abandonment of consumer culture.
… | 5th July 2015 Comment Green Economy Society Consumerism Climate Change Population … of sustainability. Can the descent from consumerism and growth be prosperous ? Can we …
Black Friday is yet another manifestation of a consumer culture that is both empty and destructive, writes Vicki Hird. So instead let's join in creative celebrations of Buy Nothing Day ('no purchase necessary'), and develop a new life-enhancing ethic of joyful frugality.
… Day'! Vicki Hird | 27th November 2015 Comment Consumerism Society Economics walk-cut.jpg … need to imbue our lives with meaning beyond consumerism, and learn to distinguish the …
The era of mass consumption has reached India, bringing about a frenzy of over-consumption, pollution and ecological havoc. But so long as there's money to be made, asks Subhankar Banerjee, why worry about climate change?
… 2014 Comment USA India Energy Climate Change Consumerism india-shopping.png The era of mass … has the potential to fuel in part the mass consumerism in India. As you can see the …
Well-being is not just a luxury for good economic times, writes Christine Berry. Reducing poverty and promoting equality are more important economic goals than the pursuit of endless growth.
… 2014 Comment Economics Society Green Economy Consumerism fluffy-kittens-cut.jpg Well-being …
A trip to the Achuar Indians of the Ecuadorian Amazon proved life-changing for Stephen Wallace. Their only desire is to enjoy what they have, and ensure that their children can do the same. But the threat of oil is casting a dark shadow of fear over their lives.
You can actually be better off, healthier and happier with less consumption, says Munasinghe. And it's not just rich countries that need to change, he told Noah Sachs - poor countries too must develop sustainably, or the Earth's resources will simply run out.
… Noah M. Sachs | 23rd May 2014 Comment Consumerism Development Climate Change …
The Baja California peninsula is rich in history and natural beauty, with thousands of unique plants and animals making up its globally unique ecosystems, write Sula Vanderplank & Benjamin Wilder. Just the place for a new giant hotel resort?
… 2014 News Mexico Natural World Oceans Water Consumerism Travel Development …
In our modern world of supermarkets and on-demand delivery, its easy to forget about the few remaining 'real farmers' who grow healthy, wholesome food, writes Julian Rose. But it won't be long before we give them the appreciation they deserve ...
… Comment Food Farming Health Poland Romania Consumerism polish-farmers-cut.jpg In our …
Climate negotiators in Bonn are hammering out the basis of a new global agreement - but have they got it all wrong? Taxing carbon consumption, rather than trying to regulate emissions, could stimulate the low carbon revolution the world needs.
Green soap-maker Ecover is the first company to openly admit that that it's using ingredients derived from 'synthetically modified organisms' - the next wave of GMOs - writes Jim Thomas. So why are they risking their ‘natural' brand for this experimental biotechnology?
… Jim Thomas | 16th June 2014 News GMOs Consumerism Corporations …
Plastic pollution in the oceans is impacting every level of marine life, writes Kate Rawles, from micro-plankton to whales. And here is your chance to do something about it - join a research expedition to the Azores next month to study the problem and develop solutions!
Isn't it daft it is to use plastics that last for centuries to make short-life packaging? Now there's an alternative, writes Sophie Morlin-Yron - using fungi to bind farm and forestry waste into strong, non-toxic, complex forms. When the job is done, the material can be safely burnt or composted - and it even works for buildings ...
… | 29th September 2014 Comment Waste Consumerism mushroom-tower-2-cut.jpg Isn't it …
The plight of much of the world's wildlife seems 'worse than ever', writes Alex Kirby. To blame is unsustainable human consumption, which is driving habitat loss, climate change and the illegal wildlife trade.
… 2014 News Climate Change Natural World Consumerism buy-baby-buy-cut.jpg The plight of …
In his search for alternatives to consumerism and industrialism, Jules Pretty travelled around the world to find surviving nature-based cultures. In this extract from his book 'The Edge of Extinction', he tells of the Tuva people of the Siberian steppe - proud of their traditions and closeness to the land, but very much part of the modern world - strictly on their own terms.
… In his search for alternatives to consumerism and industrialism, Jules Pretty …
Tolkien's Universe is one that reflects our own, writes Richard Gunderman - and has come to resemble it all the more as industrialism, militarism and an unjust economic order have come to dominate the world and enslave its peoples. It's time to follow the Way of the Hobbit.
… January 2015 Comment Society Ecocide Finance Consumerism frodo-ring-cut.jpg Tolkien's …
Low oil prices are putting a stop to some of the world's most environmentally damaging 'extreme energy' projects, writes Paul Mobbs, and may close down the entire fracking and tar sands industries. So why are so many 'Greens' issuing dire warnings, instead of celebrating the good news?
… 2015 Comment Energy Oil Fracking Tar Sands Consumerism Media Economics Climate Change …
With a million families struggling to stay warm this winter, energy bills will be a hot election issue, writes Doug Parr. But Government actions have repeatedly favoured the 'big six' energy incumbents at the expense of consumers, competition, low-cost renewables and energy efficiency, locking us into high bills for years to come.
… Energydesk | 15th January 2015 Comment Energy Consumerism Renewables Fossil Fuels …