Discussion: Consumption Politics
Watch "The Story of Stuff" by Annie Leonard (2007) and read David Owen's 2009 essay regarding the relationship between environmental protection and economics. For many environmentalists, a seemingly obvious solution to global problems is to reduce consumption of goods (i.e. Story of Stuff). However, our consumption of "stuff" is intricately tied to the well-being of global, national, and local economies in the current economic system. Is reducing material consumption the answer to our environmental challenges? How do we reconcile ideas of reduced consumption with the fact that consumption and spending are often viewed as indicators of financial well-being and higher employment? On a broader issue, is capitalism at the heart of environmental destruction?
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