Reduce, reuse, recycle
its not too late to stop runaway climate change
The production, transportation, marketing/advertising and packaging of most of the stuff we buy new creates large quantities of greenhouse gas. Advertising tries to persuade us to buy things that we don’t need, and which only get us further into debt.
When thinking of buying something, ask yourself:
Will it really make me happy? Is it worth the financial stress? How much will I miss it if I go without?
Where does the product come from? Under what conditions was it made? How far did it have to travel to get here? What was it made from?
Can I buy the product second-hand, or obtain it through freecycle (Australia’s Recycling Community: http://www.freecycle.org.au)?
Can I borrow it from somewhere?
Can I repair what I already have?
If I need to buy the product, can I loan/share it with others so that we don’t all have to buy the same thing?
If I do decide to buy a new product, is it something that is built to last?
While moves towards renewable energy and energy efficiency are vital, to avoid runaway climate change most people in relatively wealthy nations (like Australia) need to reduce their consumption. This presents an opportunity for us to redefine what ‘the good life’ means for ourselves and our families. See Adbusters http://www.adbusters.org and the Simple Living Network http://www.simpleliving.net for tips on how you can reduce your consumption. They also talk about how you can encourage your children to resist the lure of corporate advertising.
