A decade ago, I recall spending time each weekend shopping for new clothes, thinking that what I wore needed to look good, and be different from what I wore the previous week; especially if it was for the weekend brunch with friends here in the District of Columbia. Looking good at the time was at least as important as a fresh look: new clothes = new me! This is closely aligned with the idea of a consumer culture, where personal worth and identity are largely defined by the products a person buys or possesses.
The weekly promotions I received in my inbox only served to boost my consumerism mindset. While the brunch with friends was fun and exciting in that moment, it always felt a bit empty afterwards. The reality was that I didn’t know nor was I self-aware enough to see the environmental impact of this overconsumption and waste. As the post brunch emptiness grew and became more commonplace, I began to realize something had to change, not just the shopping, but something deeper in life needed to surface. This is when I discovered the connection between my shopping and the environmental impact. These impacts are wide and far reaching, including:
- Depletion of natural resources such as forests, water fossil fuels and minerals
- Habitat Destruction from agriculture, urban development, and other industrial activities
- Disposal of goods contribute to air and water pollution from transportation of goods and greenhouse gases from waste disposal and landfills.
- Overconsumption is a significant driver of climate change. Emissions from the production of goods and services contribute to global warming and extreme weather conditions.
- The negative impacts of overconsumption and waste disproportionately affect marginalized and low-income communities.
For the consumer, the pursuit of material goods can lead to a never-ending cycle of desire and dissatisfaction. This has been linked to various psychological issues, including depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem.
The question I think we all face today is this: when will what we have be enough?
How do we move forward in a sustainable way, free of consumerism and in the direction of recycling, reusing, and conserving the planet’s natural resources, supporting our own well-being, and for future generations.