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“The poverty of our century is unlike that of any other. It is not, as poverty was before, the result of natural scarcity, but of a set of priorities imposed upon the rest of the world by the rich. Consequently, the modern poor are not pitied…but written off as trash. The twentieth-century consumer economy has produced the first culture for which a beggar is a reminder of nothing.” ~John Berger [...]
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Christmas is nearly upon us, one of the few occasions in the year that sees many of us around the world coming together to celebrate. And although there are many people who do not celebrate Christmas; for some of us it seems that the whole world is flooded with Christmas wishes and goodwill.
And this is what I love about Christmas, this seemingly universal coming together; being with loved ones to share and eat and be merry. Yet it is so easy for all this merriment and cheer to be drowned under the weight of spending and presents and stress and rushing to get it all done. [...]
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I understand that emissions’ trading scheme is being considered as a way to reduce carbon in the atmosphere and this is a good thing. I simply wish we would hear more about other ways of reducing our environmental impact as well.
Like governments and big companies investing in clean energy, renewable resources, recycled materials and a reduction in consumption and dirty manufacturing process. Or conservation of natural habitats, sustainable farming and building methods, there are so many things that we all can do to reduce the effects of pollution and waste on our planet. There is more to our “environmental crisis” than just carbon.
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It could be said we don’t often consider what we already have and what truly makes us happy. In the modern world there are many of us striving to get what we don’t need to make us happy; living a lifestyle based on having, obtaining and needing more and more stuff to ‘feel’ happy and successful.
Happiness based on materialistic wealth is a scary pursuit, we can as Eric Hoffer states; never get enough to reach a state of happiness, as the very bases of this mentality is to always have more. [...]
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Our modern world loves to provide us with packaged convenience and perfection and the fruit and vegetables available from our supermarket are no exception. And yet many of us are making the switch to local produce as a means to have a more sustainable and positive impact.
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Many of us are eager to keep our homes clean and safe for our families. We use various products to disinfect, deodorize, sparkle, shine and sanitize every room, appliance and piece of furniture. Unfortunately when we rely on conventionally cleaning products we quite often expose ourselves and the environment to potentially hazardous and toxic chemicals.
We need to consider the fact that we often come into close contact with cleaning products, especially laundry detergent and surface cleaners. Although the associated health risks from these chemicals, when we are exposed through typical household use, are likely to be low; the long term health effects and possible associated allergic reaction can be unknown. [...]
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When looking to simplify our lives we are often faced with doubt; it is something we can come across everyday; either in our own mind or from the opinion of others. There is the ‘but,’ the ‘but’ that at times rears its head in our attempts to balance our own lives with a desire to live a more socially aware and sustainable lifestyle. [...]
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Have you ever considered our disposable lifestyle, how many of the products we use everyday are designed to be thrown out after as little as just one use? Tissues, toweling paper, razors, coffee cups, drink containers, food containers, nappies, tea bags, plastic shopping bags are all manufactured, packaged, transported and sold to be used once and then discarded, sometimes within a matter of minutes. [...]
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“Hmmmm “Beauty Products” I have a few tucked into my bathroom draw as I’m sure most of us do. Moisturiser, toner, makeup, perfume… these are things most of us probably use every day to a varying degree.
But do you have any concerns over what kind of impact your beauty regime may be having to your health? Or what kind of ethical or environmental impact your choices have? Let’s take a closer look at these products and find out a little more about their impact on our health, ethical views and environment. [...]
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We all need balance in our lives, a balance that allows us to consider our wants, needs and desires. To be able to weigh up our lifestyle and make choices that reflects a true desire to do better and an understanding of our impact as members of a consumer society.
I am hoping, over the next couple of weeks, to target specific areas of our everyday life and look at how our choices and habits have an effect on the world around us. [...]
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