Consumerism is Key to Solve the Climate Change Equation. Greenly Earth Stephanie Safdie  28 Jul 2024  Consumerism has become the new norm – but it wasn’t always this way. If you showed someone in 1959 the newest Apple Watch, they would be in awe of its ability to track your heart rate and answer phone calls – but someone today would realise that it is only a precedent for future gadgets to come. An enormously productive economy demands political and economic power, which in turn – usually means further economic expansion through the development of consumer culture and encouraging people to purchase superfluous consumer goods. This type of consumer spending perpetuates economic growth, serves only a restricted population, and encourages a target consumer. In 2024, consumerism has become the new norm – but it wasn’t always this way. If you showed someone in 1959 the newest Apple Watch, they would be in awe of its ability to track your heart rate and answer phone calls – but someone today would realise that it is only a precedent for future gadgets to come. An enormously productive economy demands political and economic power, which in turn – usually means further economic expansion through the development of consumer culture and encouraging people to purchase superfluous consumer good r market to be developed for conspicuous consumption. However, what is most concerning about consumerism today is how it will continue to have an impact on climate change – but why? 

 
What is consumerism?...... Consumerism refers to an economic theory that without the inclination to purchase goods and services one does not need, that economic growth would never flourish. This is because if people only bought things when they needed them, businesses would never see the revenue that they currently do – such as Nike selling sneakers.  In fact, the immense productive powers created by consumer demand meant that U.S. consumer credit rose to $7 billion dollars by the 1920s – demonstrating how the economic system's orientation towards profit instead of survival may have awakened a new beast of mass production. “Consumerism can most easily be recognised and defined as whenever someone has the desire to purchase something that is already working fine – such as a new winter jacket or watch.” It is viable to presume that the excessive consumerism that we know today started with the Industrial Revolution – as it ignited the belief and passion amongst human beings that more productivity and creating will bring success and happiness. 

​After WWI, the U.S. tried to increase it's production rate to help urban middle class people to have access to a better economic life and to develop a steady state economy capable of allowing people to work less and make more to buy all their wonderful stuff. Therefore, instead of allowing people to work less to allot more time for their creative or educational pursuits or other spiritual and pleasurable activities – many business leaders viewed such a trajectory as a way to push for rampant consumerism.However, it is important to note that consumerism gradually made its way into society – such as with ads during World War II that would entice Americans to buy products that convinced them would be useful in the midst of war. “Think about it – how many times have you gone into a Nike store because the soles of your shoes are completely worn out and the laces entirely frayed? Odds are, you went into the store because you saw some shoes that caught your eye – and not because you were in dire need of a new pair.” “Consumerism can most easily be recognised and defined as whenever someone has the desire to purchase something that is already working fine – such as a new winter jacket or watch.”

It is viable to presume that the excessive consumerism that we know today started with the Industrial Revolution – as it ignited the belief and passion amongst human beings that more productivity and creating will bring success and happiness.  ​After WWI, the U.S. tried to increase it's production rate to help urban middle class people to have access to a better economic life and to develop a steady state economy capable of allowing people to work less and make more to buy all their wonderful stuff. Therefore, instead of allowing people to work less to allot more time for their creative or educational pursuits or other spiritual and pleasurable activities – many business leaders viewed such a trajectory as a way to push for rampant consumerism. However, it is important to note that consumerism gradually made its way into society – such as with ads during World War II that would entice Americans to buy products that convinced them would be useful in the midst of war. 

What are some examples of consumerism?...... Consumerism refers to any purchase that is made when it is not absolutely necessary – which means that practically anytime you go shopping to the mall when you have some “cash burning a hole in your pocket” can qualify as practicing consumerism. For instance, if you are one of the people that follows fashion or make-up trends and sets out to buy a new jacket or mascara even if your old jacket isn’t worn out and the old mascara tube is still full – you are subject to consumerism.  “It is important to note that just because you are an avid shopper, it does not mean that you are contributing to consumerism – some people may shop smart and only when necessary, which doesn’t make them subject to excessive purchasing.
 
What is the relationship between consumerism and climate change?.......The relationship between consumerism and climate change may not be evident. However, the reality is that even if you aren’t a business owner responsible for hundreds of tonnes of carbon emissions on an annual basis – your consumerism habits probably still contribute to climate change.  Psychology isn’t off when it claims that much of our behavior is learned rather than intrinsic to our genetic being. In other words, humans have learned to consume in excess – it isn’t a trait we are biologically born with......read on  https://greenly.earth/en-gb/blog/ecology-news/consumerism-is-key-to-solve-climate-change-equation