Champions of the Environment

Sustainable Consumption vs Unsustainable Consumerism – by Halcyon

Singaporeans are known to have 2 national pastimes-eating & shopping. Apparently this is what makes us happy. We also consume, effortlessly & thoughtlessly, plenty of energy, water & landfill space for our waste. It’s not surprising then that we have one of the largest ecological footprints in the world. We are not yet as bad as the USA ( where consumption patterns, if replicated by the rest of the world, would require 3 earths to provide all the goods & services used) but are fast catching up.
But we are told that consumption is good for business which in turn, is good for our GDP. Remember how President Bush urged Americans to demonstrate their patriotism after 9/11 by going out to spend? Does this mean that eating more than we need & shopping till we drop is good for our nation? If we believe this it would seem that indulging in ‘instant gratification’
& ‘retail therapy’ makes us feel good, not just because it is self-indulgent but because it is also patriotic!

Enter the environmentalist who urges us to practice the 3Rs (Reduce, Reuse & Recycle) & not satisfied with this, further urges us to practice ANOTHER 3 Rs (Refuse, Resist & Restrain) No wonder many people go away thinking that the environment & the economy are at loggerheads & environmentalists are unrealistic spoil-sports.

It is certainly true that population growth & consumption patterns have ballooned to record highs in the last century. Never have so many consumed so much in such a short time. It is not surprising, therefore, to find that we are facing worldwide shortages in food, water, fuel, building materials & everything that makes life livable. Despite these shortages & the constant reminder that Singapore has no natural resources a short walk down Orchard Rd suggests that for Singaporeans, consumption & more consumption is here to stay; not just for us but our children & our children’s children. I have sometimes wondered what the reaction would be if someone brave enough were to urge the crowd to practice not just the 3, but the 6 Rs? It won’t be me because however because I believe there is a more acceptable & sustainable way out of the dilemma.

I believe that if we could change our consumption habits, we could effect what technology, business & politics has failed to do. We don’t have to stop consuming; we only have to consume responsibly & effectively. Instead of a life of deprivation, practicing the 6-Rs should give us a sense of empowerment. After all we only get to vote in 5 years or less. But we consume countless times a day. We should use these opportunities to assert our right to choose. In exercising this prerogative we should support businesses & companies that behave responsibly rather thon those that are exploiting the earth & us. It’s easy, just try it.

After writing this blog I intend to go out for a meal & some retail therapy. While doing so I shall:-

Refuse plastic bags & bottled water.
Resist irresponsible & misleading advertising
Restrain from wasting precious & irreplaceable resources.

It may not save the earth but I will feel I’m doing something to help. Also check out these websites:
http://www.microwave-packaging.com/
http://www.grenzone.com/
http://www.ecoenvelopes.com/html/home.html

Posted under: Editorial