Consumerism and its impact on the environment

Defining Consumerism

Consumerism is a sociocultural model that encourages the purchase of goods and services in ever-greater amounts.
This economic ideology is driven by demand created through advertising and societal pressure.

Overconsumption leads to resource depletion, including the reduction of raw materials.
Increased demand for items like electronics involves extraction of non-renewable resources such as metals, which are limited and cannot be replenished.
Production processes often lead to environmental pollution, including air, water, and soil pollution.
The discarding of products creates waste, leading to issues such as landfills and plastic pollution.
The burning of fossil fuels for manufacturing and transport processes intensifies greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to climate change.

Significant land and water resources are required to produce meat and dairy products, leading to deforestation and water shortages.
Excessive fertilizer and pesticide use in agriculture can negatively impact soil health and biodiversity.
Transporting food around the world contributes to carbon emissions.

Planned obsolescence is a manufacturing decision by companies to make consumer products in such a way that they become out-of-date or useless within a certain period of time.
This practice encourages repeated buying, thus generating more waste.
Many discarded goods contain potentially harmful substances like lead and mercury, which can harm ecosystems if not disposed of correctly.
Remanufacturing, recycling, and disposal activities lead to additional energy use and pollution.

Excessive packaging, especially non-biodegradable plastic packaging, is a significant waste product of consumerism.
The production and disposal of packaging can lead to environmental concerns like resource depletion, pollution, and waste management problems.

Sustainable consumption practices include recycling, the use of renewable resources, and reducing consumption.
Governments can encourage eco-friendly practices and rules such as waste management strategies and sustainability legislation.
Education about the environmental impact of consumerism can drive behavioural changes towards more sustainable consumption.