Blog Entry #12: What is “sustainable consumerism”? Are globalization and capitalism positive or negative drivers in this phenomenon? What is greenwashing? Would you be willing to pay a premium for foods labeled “organic”, “local”, or “fair-trade”? Do you prefer to frequent mom and pop stores in downtown Ft. Myers or patronize chain stores at the Gulf Coast Town Center? What are the ramifications of your behaviors either way? Think holistically.
The Oslo definition of Sustainable Consumption defines it as "the use of services and related products which respond to basic needs and bring a better quality of life while minimizing the use of natural resources and toxic materials as well as emissions of waste and pollutants over the life cycle of the service or product so as not to jeopardize the needs of future generations." Sustainable consumerism ties in with this referring to the consumers who are being sustainable by this consumption. Globalization can be negative because it means shipping things abroad and having multiple businesses over seas, which can mean more traveling, and more shipment going abroad, which lets out more emissions with planes, and cargo carriers. Capitalism can be negative as well referring to a money hungry society which may not try to be as sustainable as a society who is not as concerned with making money. Some sustainable practices dont make as much money for businesses, like for instance if people start growing their own gardens. Greenwashing is when marketers push all this "green" movement all over the place in the media to try to brainwash people into "going green". I would not pay more for foods that are "organic" or anything like that because i like to get the cheaper deals.. im a broke college student. I shop chains more than mom and pop just because they are convenient and i know about them and know what to expect. I think it would be better for me to buy locally and help out the mom and pop stores but i dont really know of any.
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