Blog Entry #11

Week #12 April 1-7, 2013

Sustainable Consumerism is to me is exactly what it say, being a “sustainable consumer.”  To be a sustainable consumer is to not consuming beyond your means. Not consuming beyond your means when it comes to monetary value but consuming beyond what our planets ecosystem can handle. Sustainable consumerism doesn’t have to mean consuming “less.” It implies consuming differently, challenging our models and assumptions about how we use and benefit from products and services in our daily lives. According to many scientist we’re currently consuming at least “two planet’s worth of natural resources.” They comes to no surprise to me when our world population is currently 8 billion and steadily rising. Globalization and capitalism is definitely a negative driver in this phenomenon when it comes to importing and exporting. We’re able to access anything with our finger tips when decades ago you only lived off the land and what the resources from the land you lived on gave you.

Thankfully I am communication major so I actually knew what greenwashing already was! It’s basically a PR strategy that spins “green companies” and gives them the perception to others that their organization is “green” and “environmentally friendly.” The point of this strategy is increase profits from consumers and trigger you to purchase their “green” items.

I live with my mother who is a horticulturist as well as an intense healthy and organic eater. She grows most of her own plants but she certainly has planted the idea in my mind to purchase “organic” or “local” foods and vegetables. Her philosophy is that when you grow your own food you know exactly what was done to it. Both of my parents are huge advocates for going to mom and pop stores and restaurants. I don’t think you would ever see my family inside of an “olive garden” or “Outback Steak House.” Most of these chain food restaurants are all pre made and pre packaged food, completely full of preservatives and food additives, as well as are controlled through supply channels. For example places like Subway HAVE to purchase all of their food products such as vegetables through their own supply channels. They cannot purchase from local farmers. 

Found this photo from a website that is boycotting "Darden Restaurants" (my mom might be behind this) :)