We usually listen to various stories about our consumerist tendencies in private and audiences, in fact the media and the scientific field speak of us as a consumer society. But, do we know what consumerism is? What is wrong consumerism? How does consumerism affect the environment?
If you want to clarify your doubts, we invite you to read this Ecology Verde article, where we talk about What is consumerism, its types, examples and consequences of this, as well as some alternatives to promote responsible consumption.
What is consumerism and its causes
The human being presents certain needs to be met and that translate into the Consumption of goods and services provided by nature. Responsible consumption of resources constitutes the basis of our survival and also that of the rest of biocenosis or living beings.
In this sense, consumption is not bad and could even be visualized as the set of relationships that exist and occur in an ecosystem between living beings and their surroundings. However, when this supply of food, energy or goods becomes excessive, we are facing a irresponsible consumption of resources And we talk about consumerism. This would then be the Definition of consumerism.
He consumerist model It arises as a strategy to overcome the economy during the crisis caused by World War I and is based on a mass production pattern and waste. Developed during the twentieth century, consumerism has been promoted by: capitalism, globalization, the association of consumption to success and the satisfaction of desires, instead of needs, and advertising as a social system of aspirations.
Consequently there are many Consumerism problems in today’s society. Later we will address the relationship between consumption and its effects for the environment.
Types of consumerism
According to the frequency of purchase and the motivation of the individual, they are distinguished 4 types of consumerism:
- Usual consumerism.
- Occasional consumerism.
- Consumerism for experimentation.
- Compulsive consumerism.
Examples of consumerism
These are some examples of consumerism according to the type we are talking about:
- To start, like usual consumerism examples We find the food and drink we buy daily.
- On another plane, we made a Occasional consumerism When we make a purchase that is unusual in our daily routine. For example, we bought some plane, train tickets, to go on vacation.
- In parallel, We consume to experience new products that go to the market: Virtual Reality Video Games or the latest electric vehicle model.
- Finally, the Compulsive consumerism habits They have a great influence of Advertising. For example, we can see an advertisement on some garment that generates the need to buy it. The Purchase of addictive products (tobacco, alcoholic beverages).
Consequences of consumerism in the environment
The relationship between consumerism and environment It is currently destructive. Techniques like him Fracking to obtain fossil fuels; blasting for mining and obtaining jewelry; the mechanization of agriculture and the use of chemical substances to increase productivity; And the use of harmful fishing arts and industrialization of the sector to maximize the volume of fishing captures obtained are examples of activities that negatively impact the environment.
The consequences of consumerism They are numerous:
- First, it is worth highlighting the degradation, destruction and fragmentation of the territory.
- This accompanies the loss of biodiversity and an increase in the rhythm of extinction of animal and plant species.
- The worsening of the quality of natural resources (soil pollution, water, air), but also of those that configure the basis of our food.
- Finally, it is worth mentioning the transformation of ecosystems, increasingly anthropized.
It is also important to keep in mind that consumerism generates Discrimination and social biases that enhance economic polarization and, therefore, Poverty That, as numerous studies point out, also contributes to the deterioration of the environment.
Consumerism solutions
Consumerism is contrary to sustainable developmenttherefore, to combat it, it is important to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and restructure human activities based on these. For example, in line with the first SDG “End of poverty”, as a solution to consumerism appears the redistribution of wealth and consumption.
At the individual level,What can we do to avoid irresponsible consumerism or consumption?
- On the one hand, apply the 3R rule of the ecology with which we can implement the reduction of products we consume, the reuse and recycling of them. An example is the purchase of second -hand objects, which is gaining special relevance in the market.
- Buy products that are strictly necessary, avoiding food waste.
- Bet on local trade, for those products that have an ecological or zero emission certificate, such as high energy efficiency appliances.
However, the most important thing is to acquire awareness of what our true needs arewithout focusing individual satisfaction and happiness on possession of things, and how Our actions have an impact on the environment and health.
After knowing all this about consumerism, we encourage you to read about what is responsible consumption and what is sustainable development.
If you want to read more articles similar to Consumerism: What is, types, examples and consequenceswe recommend that you enter our category of other ecology.
