The Pride

Issue date: 3/18/08 Section: Features

In the U.S. and in many areas of the world consumerism has become one of the main topics discussed. As people become more environmentally aware they also become aware of solutions to growing environmental problems such as waste and pollution. Many of which can be linked to consumerism. But what may be "desirable" economically may not be "desirable" environmentally.

In a study held by the U.N., known as the Human Development Report, it was said that "Today's consumption is undermining the environmental resource base. It is exacerbating inequalities. And the dynamics of the consumption-poverty-inequality-environment nexus are accelerating. If the trends continue without change - not redistributing from high-income to low-income consumers, not shifting from polluting to cleaner goods and production technologies, not promoting goods that empower poor producers, not shifting priority from consumption for conspicuous display to meeting basic needs - today's problems of consumption and human development will worsen." The study also reveals that the U.S. and Europe alone spend billions of dollars on products, many of which we do not need. According to the study, U.S. Citizens have spent nearly eight billion dollars on cosmetics alone and Europe has spent nearly 11 billion dollars on Ice Cream.

Anup Shah, a writer for globalissues.org, said, "Because consumption is so central to many economies, and even to the current forms of globalization, its effects therefore are also seen around the world. How we consume, and for what purposes drives how we extract resources, create products and produce pollution and waste. Issues relating to consumption hence also affect environmental degradation, poverty, hunger, and even the rise in obesity that is nearing levels similar to the "official" global poverty levels."

One solution for the growing amount of consumption is known as "The Compact." "The Compact" is a growing movement. Those involved pledge to not buy anything new for a year. This means no new clothes, new cars, new anything. Only the bare essentials like food and water can be "new." People who take the pledge try to find used products either online or in local thrift shops. Kara McGuire, a reporter for The Star Tribune said, "The Compact, started by a group of San Francisco friends as a rebellion against what they see as gluttonous consumerism and its thoughtless destruction of the environment, turn the notion of consumerism on its head." So what exactly is involved in becoming part of The Compact? Those who wish to be part of The Compact don't have to sign any papers or join any online group, although one could if one wanted to, but all a member would have to do is pledge to themselves that they will not buy anything new for a year and resist the lure of consumerism. Members must not buy anything new other than the exceptions of medicine, underwear, cleaning products, and no limits on food. One of the founders John Perry said, "We never meant to start a movement."

From just a few friends discussing a better way to live came a movement that now involves more than 8,700 members of online user groups today, according to Star Tribune and TreeHugger.com. There are 50 user groups on yahoo from Thailand to Australia and other sites such as feedthepig.org that also help people budget better and learn how to better spend money in areas where it is needed. Sites like TreeHugger.com have many suggestions as to how to be more environmentally aware as well as how one can help the environment personally.

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