May is Reducing our Footprint month!
More and more people buying more and more things that are damaging the environment more and more, while more and more people have less and less, which is a recipe for disaster.
Since the 1950s consumerism has gained momentum. More and more people are wealthy (compared to those who lived in the past and those who live in developing countries) and are spending more and more on bigger and better possessions that they could live without and still be comfortable. This includes most Australians as we are one of the world leaders in consumerism.
In 2017 we overtook the United States as having the largest average new homes – at just over 185.8 square metres. Australia has the second highest number of cars per capita after New Zealand. But cars in New Zealand are a lot older than our cars on average. The majority of Australians tend to buy new cars and 50% of new cars in Australia are SUVs. Australians spend more on clothes than anywhere else in the world. We are followed by Canada and Japan. We consume a lot of excess food and drink. Australians are eating more takeaway than people in the US, UK and France. 60.47% of Australian consumers purchase up to three takeaways in a week.
Consumerism, particularly such high levels of it as in Australia, has a devastating environmental impact and there are implications for the health and welfare of countries and their citizens. HA member, Elizabeth Dangerfield has provided these and more insights.
You can read more here on the HA Medium blog.
So, what steps can you take to reduce your personal consumption?
Reduce the number of new clothes you buy
It seems the apparel and textile industry is responsible for more than 8% of all carbon emissions globally each year and these emissions will continue to increase. The production of clothing and accessories is responsible for considerable water and energy consumption, textile waste, hazardous chemicals and microfibre pollution and very little textiles are recycled.
If you buy it. Eat it! Don’t waste food
According to OZHARVEST in Australia:
We waste 7.6 million tonnes of food each year, 70% of this is perfectly edible. Food waste costs our economy $36.6 billion a year. Food waste costs households $2,000 - $2,500 per year. More than 25 million hectares of land is wasted to grow food that is not eaten. The top five most wasted foods in Australia are vegetables, bread, fruit, bagged salad, and leftovers. Globally up to 10% of global greenhouse gases comes from food that is produced, but not eaten.
Wasting food is unconscionable but most of us do it.
What can you do to stop wasting food?
Participate in the circular economy
Be responsible for the whole life of what you buy, from beginning to end. Rampant consumerism is not something that is forced on us, it is something that we choose. Care for the possessions you have. Buy preloved items.
