'Green Living' is a mindset that must manifest through our daily decisions and actions. We live in a market economy, and we, as consumers, have the ultimate say as to what our society chooses to produce. The money that you spend to buy a good doesn't only gain you ownership of that thing; it also supports and fortifies the production and sales systems that brought it to you. We should embrace this concept and become a society of active consumers; that is to say, a society that avoids some products while pursuing others. For instance, by consuming less oil, we decrease its value; decrease the demand for its production, and decrease the negative environmental and social impacts including pollution, waste, and tyrants. On the other hand, by consuming more locally grown organic produce, we support our local farmers and stores, eat naturally healthy and nutritious food, and help protect and restore the environment by eliminating harmful chemicals, long distance transportation, and the incentive to destroy bio-diverse regions for cheap agriculture. It is only by understanding the full impact of our consumptive habits that we can become active in supporting or discouraging various production systems. It is incumbent upon each of us, as active consumers, to engage with the products that we depend on; then we must ask ourselves: does this product embody the qualities that I support, or not? Its just like voting with your dollar.
i think you successfully connect our consumption habits, our personal health, the health of the environment, and political repercussions very well. keep on connecting!
Comments
very well articulated