June 7: Sustainability and Consumption

To complete this entry, you will need to compare and contrast the articles in Chapter 4 based on the notion of consumption. Your response should be 3-4 paragraphs long and should quote at least two of the essays in chapter 4. Feel free to draw on outside research in your discussion as well.

Address any or all of the questions below, or create your own response engaging with sustainability, consumption, and local and urban environments:

What is the role of consumption and consumer culture in the sustainability conversation?

How is consumption defined within the context of sustainability?

In what ways is consumption tied to the other issues in Chapter 4?

For instance, how are city development, recycling, green jobs, electronics, and other issues essentially based on the ways in which we produce and consume things?

How is this a sustainability issue?

43 thoughts on “June 7: Sustainability and Consumption

  1. Carlie Flynn-Skelley

    In this chapter it was mainly focused on sustainability and consumption in local and urban environments. One of the roles consumption and consumer culture is to provide good and services that are sustainability for the environment but also providing for consumers needs and wants. Throughout the chapter consumption is defined through sustainability by by reusing products that better for the environment. For example, recycling and reusing waste and doing things that are improving the environment.

    Within chapter 4 consumption is tied to other issues such as how recycling can be bad for the environment and how food impacts sustainability. In Amy Westervelt chapter states that “Moreover, not everything that is ‘recyclable’ gets recycled.” With this being said that people aren’t doing the best they can to recycle which is still impacting the environment with negatively. They also mention how farming has impacted our sustainability. By being able to farm and grow your own products you are able to be more sustainable. With farming there does come negatives from the environment such as weeds growing and animals. Michael Pollan states, “Thoreau did plant a bean field at Walden, but he couldn’t square his love of nature with the need to defend his crop from weeds and birds, and eventually gave up on agriculture.” With this being said there will always be issues that are inevitable from nature while trying to be sustainable.

    As important as it is to be sustainable it can be an issue within city development. While creating cities it’s important to try and ensure that the community is being as sustainable as possible. There are ways to improve pollution by creating things that we use everyday to be sustainable. For example, cities have started to create electric bikes and scooters that people can rent to travel instead of having to drive or pay for a taxi or Uber that will consume the air with pollution. I think that since this is becoming a bigger issues, cities are trying to resolve the problems now before it gets worse.

    1. Sanyukta Talukdar

      Hey Carlie! I loved reading your response and the articles you have chosen for comparison. Farming can indeed be a very strong step towards achieving sustainability but it definitely comes with a lot of challenges which can be inevitable. We cannot control what is in the hands of nature but we definitely can take up precautions. In the end something is better than nothing. Even if we face hurdles we are humans and we have a strong technical mind. I believe that it must not be difficult to look for farming approaches that are not only sustainable but can also protect crops from unnecessary environmental damage!

    2. jmj6206

      Great job summarizing the main points of chapter 4. Your explanation of how consumption and consumer culture can be tied to sustainability was clear and concise. I appreciate how you gave examples of how reusing products and recycling can be beneficial for the environment and how farming can impact sustainability.

      Additionally, your discussion of the negative impact of recycling and the trade-offs of farming showed your understanding of the complex issues surrounding sustainability. Your explanation of how cities are trying to become more sustainable through initiatives like electric bikes and scooters demonstrated your ability to tie the concept of sustainability to urban development.

      Overall, your response was well-written and showed a strong understanding of the chapter’s main points. Great job!

  2. Sanyukta Talukdar

    In Chapter 4 sustainability was explained in a more urban and local setting than a national perspective set up. This enabled the readers to understand and get further hold of a situation on a local level and the changes that can be made at a smaller level for a better sustainable future. Every author in this chapter has a different perspective on how sustainability can be achieved at a local construct which really intrigued me to learn more. Some wrote about how universities should treat sustainability with equal importance like any other major college issues, while some talked about the benefits of investing in a sustainable city. each had it’s own significance which made it extremely interesting to read.

    The article by Bloomberg and de Lille was extremely gripping. It revolved around how important and beneficial it can be to invest in cities or projects which can have a sustainable future. According to the write up, if investments are made in an urban infrastructures, then it could eventually lead to energy savings which is the need of the hour. We all want to live in cities and towns that are fully developed and caters to all our needs. But at what cost! By harming the environment! Instead one should understand the situation and invest only in places which has a sustainable future so that along with technology one gets to have a safe and secure eco-friendly surrounding. Even though there are a lot of hurdles but “despite the challenges, the economic and environmental arguments for increasing investments in cities are clear”. This shows that we are on a steady path towards a better future even though it is full of minor challenges.

    I found this article quite similar to the one written by Smith. She brought up the idea of sustainability conversions: smart cities. “The author proposes that rather than planning smart cities around the necessary technology, cities should be adapting their plans to fit the lives of the people who live there so the city will be intelligently adapted to their residents’ needs.” There is a small contrast to the article by Bloomberg and de Lille, that is instead of investing the cities should be themselves adapting a more sustainable approach. This makes the city self sufficient and would not have to depend on external arrangements.

    Even though both the articles are different but their inner meaning revolves around the same tune, that is adapting a sustainable approach for a brighter future. If we want to see our Earth flourished we want to present the future generation with what we have got, it is important to understand the gravity of the situation and act according to it.

    1. Megan Dunbar

      Hi Sanyukta,

      I enjoyed reading your thoughts on cities and sustainability. I wrote my earlier post on living in New York City and whether or not living in cities can be sustainable. I was also interested in the readings this week that discussed living in cities. As you mentioned, investing in cities in ways that are environmentally friendly can improve the lives of so many people as well as the planet. I was happy to see that there are many initiatives in place to improve cities such as NYC.

  3. Megan Dunbar

    Consumption plays an important role in sustainability because the way we consume goods has a direct impact on the environment and social equality. The choices we make when we buy cars, homes, clothing and food (as a few examples) can have a significant influence on our planet, from the production of goods to their disposal. For example, if we purchase food that is packaged in styrofoam, we are contributing to the garbage in landfills that decompose slowly and can therefore increase greenhouse gases. In his essay “The Gospel of Consumption” Jeffrey Kaplan argues that human pursuit of material possessions has negative consequences for both individuals and society as a whole. Kaplan believes that consumer culture promotes the belief that happiness is achieved through the accumulation of material possessions which in turn leads to a constant desire for more consumption. “If we want to save the Earth, we must also save ourselves from ourselves”. (Weisser, pg 425)
    The production of goods, from clothing to food, is one of the major contributors for environmental damage. Many products that we buy require the extraction of natural resources, the use of energy, and the release of green house gases. For example, the production of clothing requires large amounts of water, energy and chemicals, The cultivation of crops for food requires fertilizers and pesticides that can pollute waterways and harm wildlife.
    The disposal of goods also has a significant impact on sustainability. Many products end up in landfills, where they take up space and release greenhouse gases as they decompose. Some products, such as electronics, contain toxic chemicals that can leach into groundwater and harm wildlife. Others, such as plastics, can end up in oceans and harm marine life. However, I was surprised to read in Amy Westervelt’s essay that there are some downsides to recycling. “….recycling has also given manufacturers of disposable items a way to essentially market overconsumption as environmentalism”. (pg 499)
    I think there are some steps that we can take to make more sustainable choices when we shop. One way would be to reduce our consumption. By purchasing fewer products we can reduce the demand for more production and the amount of waste that is generated. We can also choose products that are made from and packaged using sustainable materials.

    1. Sierra Troutman

      Hi Megan!
      I enjoyed reading your take on this topic. I feel as though we took two very different approaches to the concept of consumption. While you focused on how consuming certain products could promote poor sustainability of the environment, I focused on how efficiency and consumption of the right products could actually benefit the environment. Great explanation!

  4. Sierra Troutman

    Throughout chapter 4 various authors explained the concept of consumption in terms of sustainability for both urban and rural environments. For the most part, the authors tend to agree that the consumption of products by consumers significantly contributes to the ability to recycle and develop green forms of energy. While some authors focused on the infrastructure of a large city, others focused on the changes that could be made locally. By developing cities, recycling, and creating green jobs, we will be able to create a sense of efficiency based on the products that are consumed.

    To start, I found it interesting how Kendra Smith related the concept of consumption and sustainability to efficiency. She explained, “Well-designed technology tools can benefit government agencies, the environment and residents. Smart cities can improve the efficiency of city services by eliminating redundancies, finding ways to save money and streamlining workers’ responsibilities.” In this sense, Smith directs the focus on how creating a sustainable method of consumption would benefit the overall infrastructure of our government and society as a whole. Without efficient technology of a smart city, humans could overconsume resources, making it an issue of sustainability.

    Poschen and Renner go on to explain the benefits of green jobs. In an efficient area like Smith mentioned, it is crucial to provide green jobs. In one comment, these authors mentioned, “The perception that there is a trade-off – an intrinsic contradiction between protecting the climate and the environment on one hand and economic prosperity and job opportunities on the other – is common among government decision makers north and south, as well as among business leaders.” To elaborate, this means that many people believe that by producing more jobs, there will be a negative result for the climate. However, Poschen and Renner believe that this is simply not the case. Instead, they define the concept of green jobs, referring to jobs that reduce the impact on the environment by producing environmentally friendly alternatives. This related to Smith’s idea because it creates efficiency by creating jobs as well as alternatives that will encourage the sustainability of the environment.

    As a whole, the idea of consumption can be viewed from perspectives that originally appear to be opposite but end up being related. While some focus strictly on how consumption could be taken in a negative connotation, others see how consumption can contribute to the sustainability of an area.

    1. Steven Delligatti

      Hi Sierra,
      I like how you were able to create a positive connection between consumption and sustainability, specifically through recycling and job creation. This aspect of consumption was overlooked in my response, as I mostly focused on over-consumption as it relates to consumerism and how we need to reduce our consumption of natural resources. Your explanation of how consumption can actually help benefit humanity and the environment is helpful in understanding that not all consumption is inherently harmful.

  5. Steven Delligatti

    Chapter 4 focused on the role of consumption, specifically as it relates to sustainability. One of the readings I found particularly interesting is Kaplan’s “The Gospel of Consumption”, which explains the origins of contemporary consumerism, and how this ideology of consumerism has rapidly increased American consumption. The framework laid out by Kaplan was expanded on by other authors in chapter 4, with one example being the then Prince Charles’ (now King) speech “On the Future of Food”. Other topics explored in the readings concerned themselves with sustainable cities, recycling, ecologically sustainable communities, campus activism, and a green economic future.

    Kaplan’s “The Gospel of Consumption” helped explain the current relationship that exists between consumption and consumerism. Kaplan writes, “But despite the apparent tidal wave of new consumer goods and what appeared to be a healthy appetite for their consumption among the well-to-do, industrialists were worried. They feared that the frugal habits maintained by most American families would be difficult to break”. Americans were producing more than they actually consumed in the 1920’s. In order to combat this, advertisers psychologically manipulated the American public to increase consumption, with Edward Bernays even admitting this. This manipulation worked: “By 2005 per capita household spending (in inflation-adjusted dollars) was twelve times what it had been in 1929…”

    The then Prince of Wales connected consumption to food production in a speech at a conference in Washington, D.C. in 2011. Charles stated, “Yield increases for staple food crops are declining”. One problem posed by this is that the rate of population growth is higher than agricultural yields, which will lead to starvation if things don’t change. To combat this, Charles encourages the growth of organic farming and other agricultural methods that maintain the integrity of what he calls “natural capital”. Along with revolutionizing agriculture, we need to reduce our consumption, especially our consumption of fresh water, which is being rapidly diminished. Ultimately, consumption is directly connected to sustainability because we are consuming at a rate that is not sustainable.

    Along with revolutionizing agriculture, chapter 4 lists other ways that we can reduce our consumption of so-called “natural capital”. The growth of green jobs and smart cities are just two examples of how we can build a more sustainable future with less consumption. While we are still in the early stages of both green jobs and converting modern cities to being smart cities, the growth of green jobs has increased rapidly from 2006-2014 and many cities in both developed and developing countries are funding programs for the development of smart cities.

    1. Ava Ryan

      Hi Steven! I really enjoyed reading your response. It’s interesting how you were able to relate consumption with sustainability. I think about this often. In my opinion, the growing population plays a role but is not the primary factor. I think the standards of living are including more and more things that are non sustainable. For instance, we don’t realize how much water we are wasting. Like you said, green jobs can help with this. I was just in the city today in Philly, and I noticed the promotion of many sustainable careers.

  6. Mason Lubas

    Throughout most of chapter 4 the common theme is this idea of consumption and how it relates to sustainability. Consumerism plays a huge role in the idea of sustainability. I remember back in one of my high school classes, I believe a world history class, we discussed the idea of another World War and whether or not there would even be one that would be fought. My teacher talked about how if there would be another world war it would be fought over resources that we humans have abused through over consumption. The example he gave us was water and that eventually countries will go to war over who owns water supplies due to the resource eventually becoming scarce.
    In Jeffrey Kaplan’s article he says “if we want to save Earth, we must also save ourselves from ourselves. We can start by sharing the work and the wealth. We may just find that there is plenty to go around.” When reading this I instantly thought of my aforementioned notion. We are doing more harm upon ourselves than anything. We abuse the resources and we abuse the planet. I think this quote is the focal point of every single article throughout chapter 4. How the overconsumption of resources are becoming the downfall of Earth. This is sort of brought up again in Amy Westervelt’s article about how recycling may actually be bad for the environment. She mentions “recycling has given the manufacturers of disposable items a way to essentially market overconsumption as environmentalism.” The similarities are there in the fact that both articles blame the people for doing harm upon themselves. In Kaplan’s it is just a simple person to person while in Westervelt’s it is the producer to the consumer.
    Overconsumption is one of the biggest enemies to creating a sustainable world. Especially when we live in a society where resources are easily obtainable to the common household. Most houses have the ability to have electricity, a car, water, dishwashers, washer machines, dryers, all items that used to be a luxury. But with access to these also comes the risk of consumerism ruining our planets limited resources.

    1. Alyssa Bergstrom

      Hey Mason,
      I liked the real-life example you used about how limited our resources are becoming. I know water droughts have already been a thing numerous times in the US alone, so it won’t be surprising if one country is targeted for their supplies. I also agree that in our goal to make life easier for us, it will result in it being shorter due to all the over-consumption.

  7. Maya Trump

    Throughout Chapter 4, it has been shown to us how consumption and sustainability are intertwined. Whether that be food consumption or ecological patterns, both problems are part of the whole of sustainability. One of the best quotes to highlight all segments of this chapter is from Kaplan’s writing. He outlines “the gospel of consumption” — the notion that people could be convinced that however much they have, it isn’t enough.” This encapsulates Prince Charles’s writing, as well as Sutton’s and Capra’s pieces. The main idea in most of these pieces is how we are consuming at a rate much higher than we should be based off of our needs. Throughout the chapter, consumption is related to food, ecology, and social issues.

    One of the problems that are intertwined in these issues is recycling. Normally when one thinks of sustainability, the easiest way to do your part is through recycling. In Westervelt’s piece, she states “Unfortunately, in its modern-day incarnation, recycling has also given the manufacturers of disposable items a way to essentially market overconsumption as environmentalism. Every year, reports come out touting rising recycling rates and neglecting to mention the soaring consumption that goes along with them.” This exploits how the system of recycling itself may be sustainable, but the process that they encourage is not sustainable. The rate at which the public is consuming recycled goods forces the act of recycling to be less sustainable because of the rate at which they move.

    Something that stood out to me in this chapter was the use of how technology can be a solution to our consumption rates. Initially when thinking about decreasing consumption rates, my brain thinks of going back to the old days which does not include technology. However, Smith’s section describes otherwise. In this section, he states “Technology has the power to help people live in communities that are more responsive to their needs and that can actually improve their lives.” Taking this idea of using technology to increase people’s lives, all the while helping our community is very eye opening. Technology can be a solution to our over consumption, which directly leads us into a solution to be sustainable.

  8. Grace McCall

    Chapter 4 mainly focused on consumption and how this relates to sustainability and our economy. Overall, each essay touched on what it means to participate in sustainable consumption. Sustainable consumption refers to “the use of services and related products, which respond to basic needs and bring a better quality of life while minimizing the use of natural resources and toxic materials as well as the emissions of waste and pollutants over the life cycle of the service or product” (United Nations Environment Programme). How we, as a collective society and economy, choose to participate in a sustainable future is only effective if we all agree to work towards a better tomorrow, along with effective policies and laws put into place to allow for us to build a more sustainable future.

    Sustainability and our economy are intertwined with each other. They have a “cause and effect” relationship with each other. For example, if we need to create more “green jobs”, this will result in others losing their jobs, like coalminers. If we switch to a renewable energy source, instead of oil and coal, oil company workers would lose their jobs. It’s about finding a happy medium. In Peter Poschen’s essay, “Green Jobs”, he elaborates on the economic benefits and disadvantages in building a better tomorrow. I really enjoyed reading this essay because he presents a possible solution and then expands on it from all angles, showing every side of a possible solution.

    While we need politics to be on nature’s side, it is ultimately our decision to participate in building a better tomorrow. At home we can practice sustainable consumption by buying locally, driving an eco-friendly car, or recycling as much as possible. On a greater scale, we can vote for those who will push ‘green’ legislation and make an effort to use their power towards creating a sustainable future. Our consumption is at the heart of it. While we are the consumers who ultimately decide what goods and services to buy or use, we are also the producers.

  9. Bethany White

    “Sustainability: A Bedford Spotlight Reader” explore the role of consumption and consumer culture in the sustainability conversation. Consumption is defined within the context of sustainability as the utilization and acquisition of goods and resources. It is closely tied to other issues discussed in the chapter, such as city development, recycling, green jobs, electronics, and more. The articles shed light on how our patterns of consumption have significant implications for sustainability and the environment.

    Jeffrey Kaplan’s essay, “The Gospel of Consumption,” critically examines consumer culture and argues that it promotes excessive consumption and materialism, which are detrimental to the planet’s well-being. He states, “We are no longer citizens but consumers, and our duty as consumers is to consume.” This perspective emphasizes how consumption has become a central aspect of our identity and the primary driver of economic growth, often at the expense of environmental sustainability.

    consumption plays a central role in the sustainability conversation. It is defined as the acquisition and utilization of goods and resources within a broader context of environmental and social responsibility. The articles highlight how consumption is intertwined with other sustainability issues, such as city development, recycling, green jobs, and electronics. The key takeaway is that addressing sustainability requires a shift towards more mindful and responsible consumption patterns, reducing waste and environmental impacts associated with consumer culture.

    1. Alyssa Bergstrom

      Hey Bethany,
      I really liked the quote you used in reference to “The Gospel of Consumption”. Nearly everywhere we go all we see are ads, and it really does feel like all we’re made to do now is consume. Consumer culture has been around for a long time, but it’s definitely skyrocketed even in the last 5 years. During COVID it was even worse because we all had to stay home all day which brought a bunch of streaming services, trends, and food apps. Really liked your perspective on this!

    2. Brandon Feller

      Hey Bethany! I like your response, I totally agree that consumption is a huge factor in sustainability conservation. Since we use so many resources such as food, water, and other natural resources it’s important to consider how much we are using! Not all resources like food can be reused, so it’s important we pay careful attention to how much we are consuming. If we don’t, this can harm sustainability.

  10. Alyssa Bergstrom

    Consumption and consumer culture play a significant role in the sustainability conversation. This is because these factors contribute to things such as mass production and waste generation. The choices of consumers have a significant impact on the environment and economic sustainability. Consumers buy so many products they don’t need based on trends or commercials, that they throw out at the sign of it no longer being useful. This results in waste being spread everywhere, and the mass productions of these products being thrown away once no on wants to consume them. This has always been an issue, but it’s become a significantly growing problem in the modern age.

    Within the context of Sustainability, consumption is defined as the utilization of goods and services by individuals or society as a whole. This process takes into account the impacts of the production and disposal, while trying to find a way to minimize negative affects on the environment. Chapter 4 goes more into the viewpoints of how the authors believe sustainability in consumption can be achieved and their view as consumption as a whole. In Jeffery Kaplan’s “Gospel of Consumption”, he criticizes consumption, and more specifically consumer culture. He cites the idea that the gospel is “the notion that people could be convinced that however much they have, it isn’t enough.” This furthers on my points that people just consume what they want, but just as easily throw it away.

    While Kaplan’s article is interesting in the way he views consumer culture, I like to look at other articles that provide more of a solution to this issue. Thats why in Peter Poschen’s “Green Jobs” article he goes into the issue of sacrificing people’s job for helping the environment, and how we can have our cake and eat it too. He suggests “Green jobs—those that reduce the environmental impact of economic activity—are critical to shifting to a more environmentally sustainable economy.” He then goes on to list several jobs that are economically friendly that can both provide support to the environment and the people. Like many things, there are many different aspects to consumers and providers in our economy. Nothing is black and white, and for most people it comes down to what’s doing best for yourself or your environment. I believe that acknowledging both the issues and solutions can help us eliminate our selfishness so that we can lower the negative impacts of consumer culture.

    1. Adam Feinstein

      Hey Alyssa,
      I also found “Gospel of consumption” to be a very interesting article that I also used myself. I’m really happy that you chose and to use the quote, “the notion that people could be convinced that however much they have, it isn’t enough”. I found that to be extremely moving and eye-opening because it’s so true and Society and we see it all the time. Whatever we have is never enough. I mentioned this idea and concept in my blog post today that people are never happy with what they have, and always are searching for “more”. While this practice is good within a career, it is detrimental within the society. People and corporations are always building and expanding more, which is quickly depleting the resources within the environment. It’s an extremely negative cycle that spiraling out of control. Is there a way for the consumers to do anything about this problem?

  11. Ava Ryan

    Chapter 4 bridges the gap between consumption and sustainable practices. The issue is addressed in a new light in Amy Westervelt’s article, “Can Recycling Be Bad for the Environment?”. Her argument is focused on the hidden overconsumption within the environmental initiative of recycling. “American consumers assuage any guilt they might feel by consuming mass quantities unnecessary, disposable goods by dutifully tossing those items into their recycling bins and hauling them to the curb each week” (Weisser 450). By recycling (or consuming recyclable products), the consumer feels good about their efforts, and therefore will continue to consume more. I think this perfectly defines consumer culture in sustainability for the future. We all would like to keep up a sustainable practice, and as it has become normalized in this age. However, we are unaware of what it truly means to be sustainable or to keep up a sustainable lifestyle. Therefore, we are even more so unaware of what happens when we recycle something. As mentioned in the article, “not everything that is ‘recyclable’ gets recycled” and “a lot is lost as waste in the process” (Weisser 453). This is very misleading for consumers, and will ultimately impact us in the future if it is not addressed.

    The economy and sustainability are inherently related. Social media has played a large role in the consumption of goods in recent years. Ads are now key components to these platforms, and will only continue to grow. In the article “Why Social Media and Sustainability Should Go Hand In Hand” by Jeff Sutton, it is proposed that social media is a great promoter of sustainability. As an avid user of social media myself, I started to think about the degree to which I was influenced by anything of this nature. It is mentioned in the article that “For many of these corporations, the challenge is understanding how to effectively engage their audiences on these topics using language and media that may be foreign to the boardroom” (Weisser 534). I absolutely agree with this statement, as sometimes ads are ineffective in communicating these messages. A brand’s sustainability beliefs may not necessarily impact my likelihood in purchasing their products however. I am guilty of purchasing “fast fashion” on sites like Shein, which produce very cheap trendy products for very low prices. I’ve done this since it is most convenient for me as a college student. Yet, if a brand is very prominent in expressing their contribution to sustainability, I may gain more respect for them.

    Consumption is additionally tied to employment. In the article, “Green Jobs” by Poschen and Renner, it is apparent that sustainable jobs will create a more sustainable economy. I recently noticed the number of jobs related to energy-efficient procedures in Philadelphia. My uncle manages a heating and cooling home service that supports this. Interestingly enough, he did mention many of the ideas presented in the article on managing change in the industry. These ideas surround the notion that environmental and social challenges make it difficult to upkeep these businesses at times. Solar home systems are very costly for the average American unfortunately. Other means of efficiency are therefore required. It will take more time and governmental change, but more energy-efficient businesses and jobs will hopefully appear.

  12. Jonah Dess

    Consumption, is something every person in the world does on a daily basis. We consume food, energy, electricity , and so much more. It being a part of our lives we need to be aware of the impacts consumables on the floor.

    These readings, the authors talk about how impactful consumerism is. We can run out of resources if we do not set a limit. People need to be aware of how much they consume of their items. We can help preserve and sustain our environment.

    Consumerism is an important aspect of our lives. We can destroy ourselves with not thinking ahead. We need to pay attention to what we are doing. Starting with yourself, is the best way to help sustain the environment.

  13. Cameron Yousaitis

    Consumption is a very important topic relating to sustainabilities and it is now more than ever before. Over time people have gotten more and more greedy and do not really think about the over consumption of goods and its negative effects. Eventually we are going to slowly run out of certain resources and have no where to turn to. We have to start asking ourselves questions because in a majority of these sustainability topics we are running ourselves into a brick wall, by harming our environment. Chapter 4 explains ways we can consume and also be sustainable.

    In Jeffery Kaplan’s article he goes into talking about how people do not know what is enough, and they do not think twice about it. He states in bold text “If we want to save the earth, we must save ourselves from ourselves” and this has stuck with me. This does not just speak on consumption of goods but everything about sustainability. Removing forests, making and using plastic straws, using dangerous chemicals to kill weeds. All of these things are our own doings and until we take accountability and figure out alternatives we are going to continue to dig ourselves in a whole far too deep.

    I also looked at Jeff Suttons article about social media and this I related to a lot because I am big on social media. I feel like a lot of ads and social media outlets are not sustainable but because of there great deals and things we see on social media, we buy them anyways because they are affordable and attract us. This goes back to the quote, we must save ourselves from ourselves. We can make those purchases all day but we do not realize the harm we are creating because falling for what social media has to offer. Social media can be a tool to help our battle to become sustainable instead of a weapon against it.

    1. Karilyn Brue

      Hi Cameron! I like how you talked about the line from Kaplan’s writing, because that line also stuck with me too. It is important to acknowledge how much consumption goes on in our daily lives and how it takes such a toll on the planet. We need to be more cautious with the amount of products we buy and how much waste we produce.

  14. Yamileth Zamora Pineda

    Throughout Chapter 4 of “Sustainability: A Bedford Spotlight Reader,” we see how consumption and consumer cultures relate to sustainability and the environment; furthermore, it extends from green jobs, recycling, city development, electronics, and many more. Consumption correlates to sustainability in the means of acquiring and using goods and resources. The authors implicate how consumer culture and consumption have a big impact on the environment. It indicates that we should take steps that will help reduce consumer culture and consumption by lessening waste. Also to be more responsible when it comes to consumption that will assist in decreasing the harm provoked on the environment.

    The Gospel of Consumption, an essay written by Jeffrey Kaplan goes into detail about how humans are consumers of the earth; however, we do it in extensive amounts that it harms the environment’s well-being. Furthermore, he said, “We are no longer citizens but consumers, and our duty as consumers is to consume.” Taking the resources of the planet in large amounts for the benefits of us and the economy come with consequences; damaging the sustainability of the world. He further elaborates on how individuals believe they do not have enough; therefore, they need more. Also, as much as we consume, we also throw away; not taking the environment into consideration.

    In Green Jobs, an essay written by Peter Poschen describes the relationship between sustainability and our economy. He goes into detail about how these two points have a cause and effect. Furthermore, he explains the advantages and disadvantages with green jobs that have on society and the economy. For example, if we utilize renewable energy instead of coal and oil, then the coal and oil will lose jobs which will greatly impact those businesses. The neat part is that he outlines the different perspectives from all standpoints.

  15. Brandon Feller

    In this week’s reading, we slowly transition to learning about how politics and natural disasters can affect sustainability to consumption affecting sustainability. Consumption in sustainability can be defined as “the use of products and services in ways that minimize impacts on the environment in order for human needs to be met in the present but also for future generations” (Wikipedia). Of course, to thrive as a community we need to consume most natural resources such as trees, water, food, and other materials to help us live as a society. Food, especially, is probably one of the most important resources that humans consume which affect sustainability.

    In the context of sustainability, consumption is often examined in terms of its environmental, social, and economic impacts. It involves understanding the patterns, levels, and choices of consumption and their implications for the environment, society, and future generations. People who practice sustainable consumption always try to minimize the impacts on the environment and promote social-well being and long-term economic viability. We must learn to make conscious choices and learn to make it a habit to reduce resource depletion, pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and more. One resource that people consume all the time in nature is food! Prince Charles of Wales’ article “On the Future of Food” discusses this matter and how valuable and sacred it is to saving our environment. We need to preserve other animals to keep an adequate food production and save on consumption. Charles quotes “Only by safeguarding Nature’s resilience can we hope to have a resilient form of food production and ensure food security in the long term” (Charles)

    Luckily, though, many more companies and businesses today are choosing to contribute to sustainability in many different ways. Even better, it’s catching up to social media. For example, I wrote my popular media essay on Starbucks’ reusable cups and how their transition to serving those with reusable plastic cups is affecting the environment. It has significantly reduced the number of single-used cups in landfills by over 70%! People are consuming less single-use cups for their daily coffees which is significantly improving sustainability. Big brands like Starbucks are a role model for smaller brands, and hopefully smaller brands and companies will try to become more sustainable. This can relate to one of Sutton’s quotes, “Brands are blowing a major opportunity to communicate their sustainability initiatives to millions of consumers with social media updates that are inane, safe and saccharinely artificial in their bonhomie” (Sutton).

    1. Adam Feinstein

      Hey Brandon,
      I also found Prince Charles article, “on the future of food”, to be very eye-opening, and extremely interesting. Being a very big foodie myself, it was interesting to realize how valuable and sacred and extremely important. It is to preserve animals to keep adequate food production in the environment, but also in the Socio economic aspect of the environment. Needless to say that I’m also a very huge animal lover, and we need to save the animals regardless.

      Secondly, I loved your project number two on the reusable Starbucks cup. I see that more and more within Starbucks and it is really a phenomenal change that such a large monopoly is implementing great change within their company. Because you chose the Starbucks cup, I want you to read the last paragraph of my blog post today because it relates to Nike, another big corporation, implementing sustainable materials in their shoe. Kind of the same idea, but still a great change for both companies.

  16. Karilyn Brue

    This chapter goes into detail about how there is a distinct relationship between consumption and the topic of sustainability. Each article within this chapter discusses how humans are constantly consuming products at a higher rate than the planet can handle. This is an issue since it creates a mindset where people continue to believe they need to have or do more in their lives, which adds to the cycle of consumption. Each individual within our society plays a key role in the process of trying to keep our planet as sustainable as it can be. Consumption within the topic of sustainability is defined as using resources in a way where it brings less harm to the environment, where people are cautious about how many products they buy or consume.

    Within Kaplan’s writing, he discusses the issue throughout our society where people tend to buy more than they need at an alarming rate. He states, “Perhaps even more threatening was the fact that the industrial capacity for turning out goods seemed to be increasing at a pace greater than people’s sense that they needed them” (Kaplan). People have been convinced that they will always need more than what they have now, so they will buy more, then discard of such products. While this adds a boost to the economy, it is slowly destroying the environment with the waste production.

    In Smith’s writing , the author talks about why it is important to create smart cities in a way that adapts to the residents needs. The author states, “Technology has the power to help people live in communities that are more responsive to their needs and that can actually improve their lives” (Smith). The way these cities are established is all based on how humans treat our environment as a whole, mainly pertaining to the government. These leaders need to take more accountability with giving in to the consumer thread, and make more changes for the cities. There also needs to be more consumer responsibility, where individuals are aware and more self conscious about the purchases they make and the waste they produce. This is a sustainable issue since there needs to be a change within the mindset of consumption, since it is already taking a toll on the planet. We need to use technology in smart and innovative ways that will help the public and the environment.

    1. Adam Feinstein

      Hey Karilyn,
      I also think that creating smart cities is absolutely the way to go. They adapt to the residence needs, but also find a way to preserve energy and resources for future generations to come. This is exactly the definition of sustainability, and we need more major cities implementing this way of change. Technology can either be the greatest enemy or the most powerful hero however, which way we use it. If only people would learn to use technology for good instead of destroying the environment, we could instantly change the world and see extraordinary results rapidly. I agree, technology is a major tool that we should all utilize for good.

  17. Lilly Howson

    The readings in chapter 4 touch on several different relationships between consumption and sustainability. Today, overconsumption of goods is embedded in our society. As mentioned in Kaplans article “The Gospel of Consumption,” the development of new technology and machines, although thought to bring upon less hours of work and the reduction of labor, instead resulted in higher productivity and overall more product consumption. Consumption and the health of the environment seemingly go hand in hand. Mindless consumerism and the exploitation of human and the environment clearly is linked to our current and ongoing climate crisis.

    The over consumption of goods has a great impact on the environment, going hand in hand with the overconsumption of earths resources and the use of fossil fuels, being no longer a sustainable way for us to live our lives. Over consumption is definitely a sustainability issue, and changes need to be made in our society today to halt the already irreversible damage done. In the reading “Green Cities: Why Invest in Sustainable Cities?” it talks about the possible positive impacts of investing in green cities, cities that are overall more efficient and more sustainable, with fewer emissions and more energy savings. In the reading, “The Gospel of Consumption”, Kaplan discusses how if we as a society collectively decided to reduce consumption back to slightly what it was before, like those emerging during the Kellog six hour days, we can return to a more healthy and happy community.

    One quote that stuck out was this, “We can break that cycle by turning off our machines when they have created enough of what we need.” It is that very need, to constantly consume more that what we really need, especially when some people don’t have anything, that contributes to the climate crisis, both the downfall of the environments health as well as our own. Consumption ties into another sustainability issue, agriculture. As discussed in “On the Future of Food”, the current ways of unsustainable agriculture, and the need for over consumption, is continuing to damage our environment. The current unsustainable ways in agriculture, for example the dependence on irrigation systems, is depleting our water in a way that is just not sustainable. There are ways we as a society can impact change in terms of consumption. They ways we produce and consume things affects the way we live unsustainably. Recycling, green jobs, smart cities, sustainable agriculture, sustainable urban development, are all ways in which sustainability and consumption tie together, and are all way we can positively create change for a more sustainable future.

  18. Adam Feinstein

    In chapter 4, when we discuss the role of consumption and the culture of consumerism. We must recognize that this concept has a direct impact on the sustainability of the environment. There are many ways that consumption and consumerism play a very detrimental impact on the degradation of the well-being of the environment. It’s interesting to observe the different viewpoints that each author says about consumerism within the environment. To begin with, consumption within the context of sustainability is defined by expending goods and services on the individual level and spans as far as to cities and countries. There are countless ways that humans overuse consumption that is leading to the rapid decline in the environment. First and foremost, we are moving in the direction of total resource depletion. Its human nature and our culture for people to always desiring for “more”. Whether that be in the aspect of more physical items such as houses, cars, and revenue. Or “more” as in the terms of “bigger”. Bigger houses, larger corporations and people will find a way to increase their goods/ services. This overconsumption inevitably leads to resource withdrawal and reduction. Our overconsumption of resources such as fossil fuels, water, and power is a killer that leads us to not be able to have any more for future generations. This significantly impacts sustainability within the environment.

    Two quotes in this week’s reading have resonated with me very much. First is an extremely moving quote that has a magnitude of truth behind it was stated in “The Gospel of Consumption” by Jeffery Kaplan. She said that “If we want to save Earth, we must also save ourselves from ourselves”. The only way to protect and preserve the Earth, is to first take responsibility for our own actions. Humans are the most destructive and wasteful animals on the planet who keep digger a deeper and deeper hole. Ensuring long-term health cannot be accomplished until a global self-reflection on how destructive we really are happens. We will never entirely realize what we have done until it’s too late. I believe that the first step to change is education and understanding the severity of the problem. Building off education, the second quote that resonated with me very much was from the article “Whatever Happened to the Drive for Campus Sustainability?” by Scott Carlson. The quote states, “Sustainability no longer gets as much campus attention as sexual assault, affordability, or institutional viability”. This quote forced me to have a minute of self-reflection. I genuinely could not remember a class or even a lesson since I’ve been enrolled in college that has taught about sustainability within the world and how much a prevalent issue this has become. College students have become increasingly wasteful and especially in major universities like Penn State, it should go without saying that a sustainability course should be required and implemented into everyone’s academic course. Just this small step would make a monumental step forward in for a national effort. Most college students are simply not aware of how uneconomical they truly are. Educating and showing the current generations a better way to utilize their resources will then be passed down and taught for futures generations to come.

    City development, recycling, green jobs, electronics, and various other issues are all very closely interconnected, in which the way people consume and produce things. This link is crucial to sustainability given that it affects resource consumption, implications for the environment, social stability, and economic viability over time. Sustainable methods of products have evolved to have the center goal of resource efficiency. This means to use the least number of items to produce a car, phone, shoes etc. This reduces the buildup of waste and create so much greener and more sustainable environment. I have a prime example of this in today’s society. My roommate just ordered new Nike running shoes called “Nike Pegasus turbo” that are now claimed to consist of at least 20% sustainable materials. With the number of shoes and resources that Nike produces and distributes on a daily basis, they are now making a change to their production by reusing the materials that they don’t need, to include that into the final product and make their product more sustainable. I believe that if more businesses could make this change, could make an extreme difference in the world.

    1. Brandon Feller

      Hey Adam,

      I saw your response to my blog post and you told me to read your paragraph about the new Nike running shoes. I love how it consists of at least 20% of sustainable materials. I’m curious to know what kinds of materials though? Is the material recyclable? I would have to assume it is because it is sustainable material. It’s important that we consume less since it is harmful for the environment, so I’m glad that big brands like Nike are catching on to this sustainability fad. I may even order a pair for myself. I think you should as well!

      1. Adam Feinstein

        Hey Brandon,
        Thanks for reading my reply on your post. I thought you would find this is interesting. I thought to myself exactly the same question you did. What in the world is this shoe made out of? I went onto the website and did some research to find exactly that. Here’s a direct quote from nike.com about this specific shoe brand. “Designed utilizing recycled materials from post-consumer and/or post-manufactured waste. One of our biggest steps on our journey to zero carbon and zero waste is in choosing our materials because they account for more than 70% of any product’s footprint. By reusing existing plastics, yarns, and textiles, we significantly reduce our emissions. Our goal is to use as much recycled materials as possible without compromising on performance, durability and style”.

        I think it’s incredible that Nike is making this monumental step forward in reducing their carbon footprint, and helping to make the world a more sustainable and eco-friendly place. I wonder how long it took the geniuses to invent and create and design a shoe out of this material. I wonder why they made this change also. I even tried on the shoes that my roommate ordered and they’re as comfortable as ever. I really am considering buying a pair for myself!

        https://www.nike.com/t/pegasus-turbo-next-nature-se-mens-road-running-shoes-pnz45r/FJ5445-390

  19. Celina Dry

    In this chapter, I was intrigued by the ideas proposed, especially linking consumption to sustainability. For example, as someone that does eat a heavy plant based diet, I often struggle with the idea of over cropping and over farming almond. Almonds have a severe impact to the soil. In terms of food, I am aware of the unethical and unsustainable nature of food consumption, which is often not shown and is kept on the back burner. I find that topic of ethics and sustainability overlap with consumption. There is the added idea, too, that we need “more”. Focusing on consumption of food, farming and cropping are a large point of conversation. Companies put out more food, mass produce livestock, the discussion of GMOs, and so on. There are several practices that are harmful to sustainability and are ethically questionable, especially given how much we throw away. Since plastic was touched up, it is also interesting to learn that some of the food that stores throw are transported to farms. On these farms, there have been issues and questions regarding livestock (specifically pigs) ingesting plastics. At one point, this had led to the question of whether or not we were consuming microplastics in our food.

    Recycling is another point of conversation. Amy Westervelt references that not “everything that is recyclable gets recycled.” I find this true on a consumer standpoint, where many people do not recycle. As well, from experience and watching my own trash company, they throw our recycling away with our regular garbage. Many consumers do not pay attention or ask questions about the practice of certain companies, especially after these companies take the trash away. Consumption is not a stand alone issue. Instead, we can find that large companies, consumers, and the practice of our disposals. We have a plethora of technology at our fingertips, but we do not use it for the greater good. Instead, I find that Jeffrey Kaplan’s state, “we are no longer citizens but consumers,” is a strong. If you want to recycle, you have to pay extra in my area or it is input in our lease, even if that company does not recycle. We discuss electric cars, and many individuals cannot afford those cars or switching to solar panels, or even affording a hybrid vehicle. A large part of the issue is corporations wanting to see their profits always rising and going up. However, these corporations often forget that many individuals cannot afford their price and the quality of product has gone down. Companies can take initiative to market affordably and quality products that all individuals could benefit from, and I think when companies make that change, we can start seeing a more sustainable environment going forward.

  20. Keetha Sai

    In Chapter Four, we are exposed to the relationship between consumption and sustainability. Specifically, its practices. Consumer culture is a vital topic of conversation when discussing sustainability because in order to become more sustainable, consumption habits have to change. We live in a world of overconsumption and waste. Humans have the tendency to impulse buy, especially since stores have products right next to the check-out line as a marketing method and means of selling more.

    In Jeffery Kaplan’s article called, “Gospel of Consumption,” he delves into consumption and consumer culture. Kaplan is extremely critical of the way in which humans consume and explains that they will always believe they never have enough. He eludes to the fact that people are never satisfied with what they have and always desire what they do not have, thus leading to overconsumption. We have dug ourselves into an impossible situation with our greed and unwillingness to change.

    Furthermore, I read Peter Poschen’s article called “Green Jobs,” in which he talks about the relationship between the economy and sustainability. He discusses sustainable occupations and professions from all perspectives, showing both sides of a seemingly double-edged sword. It seems obvious that sustainable jobs will automatically increase the sustainability of our economy, but there are cons as well.

    Regardless of what the future holds in terms of government intervention and economic shifts, our habits as a society must change. We, for the most part, cannot really control what the government does and cannot affect big economic change, but we can help with little things, such as buying what we need and nothing more. There is no harm in occasionally splurging and/or treating yourself, but the constant unnecessary purchasing is where the problem lies.

  21. Maya Ghosh

    Chapter 4 focuses on the relationships between sustainability and consumption. Today, our society runs on the overconsumption of goods. “The Gospel of Consumption,” by Kaplan highlighted the the development of better technology and machinery that was hoped to decrease work hours and reduce labor. Instead, it resulted in higher production and consumption. People learned to develop an insatiable appetite for more and “better” products. The overconsumption of goods is linked to the decline of the environment and overall unsustainable way of life.
    “If we want to save Earth, we must also save ourselves from ourselves” is quoted in “The Gospel of Consumption.” This quote written by Kaplan summarizes the central idea surrounding consumerism and the strain we are placing on the environment. The idea behind the quote is that we are responsible for creating these unsustainable habits and mindless consumerism that is destroying the environment. We must take responsibility, but also make change on a global level in order to preserve the planet.
    The 2nd quote that resonated with me was from “On the Future of Food” by Prince Charles of Wales. This excerpt showed the relationship between unsustainable food production and detrimental environmental effects. “Over a billion people — one-seventh of the world’s population — are hungry….let us not forget the other tragic fact — that over a billion people in the world are now considered overweight or obese.” Hearing those two facts next to each other is eye opening. It shows the massive discrepancy between first and third world countries and their access to food. The rest of the article went into more specifics about the huge amounts of land and water that are used to produce food that is ultimately wasted. So, land, water, food, and other resources like time and money are being wasted because of issues in food production. The way that we are producing food now is unsustainable and is destroying the environment. We needs to find others more efficient ways to use the planet’s resources.

  22. Shanelle Philistin

    In Chapter 4, we are focusing on ways sustainability is connected to local, urban, and industrial environments and processes regarding consumption. Consumption involves using products that help meet our needs and give us a better quality of life without compromising and/or overusing natural resources and other toxic materials. We must consume and use our resources in ways that do not harm our environment. In the Chapter 4 readings, we see this explained in different ways from our cities to our foods. Two articles similar in theme, while still having some differences, were Michael Bloomberg and Patricia de Lille and Kendra Smith’s articles.

    The article by Bloomberg and de Lille addresses the reasons for creating and investing in sustainable or “green” cities in the future. As cities continue to experience an influx of people, there will be greater demand for buildings, transportation methods, and bridges. This will cause the use of more energy and more money. This is a sustainability issue because while it is important that we grow, expand, and modernize, it is more important that we do so in a sustainable way. We must preserve and use our resources wisely. As mentioned in the article, sustainable cities have cleaner air, less traffic congestion, and fewer greenhouse gas emissions. So, not only are things more convenient from a living perspective, but also from an environmental perspective as well (overall better living conditions all around). This is what consumption concerning sustainability is all about. We are using our resources to meet our current needs for a better quality of life while not compromising the resources for future generations. This of course is not an easy task and towards the end of the article it reads, “Building sustainable cities of the future will be challenging…the good news is that cities are finding innovative solutions to do it.” I like that it acknowledges that it will be the process to get there will not be easy, but we are motivated to get there eventually.

    The article by Bloomberg and de Lille had similar ideas to the article written by Smith. Her article, like Bloomberg and de Lille, highlights the sustainability of cities, but unlike Bloomberg, Smith addresses these cities as “smart cities.” Rather than surrounding these cities with technology, these cities, according to Smith, should be adapting their plans to fit the lives of the people who live there, and the city will be considered, “intelligently adapted to their residents’ needs.” I like the idea that a smart city is a city that pays attention to the resident’s needs, and this makes sense because this is the only way the city will properly function and grow. Smith goes on to explain this further by stating that, “smart cities promise real-time monitoring, analysis and improvement of city decision-making.” It’s like assessing the needs of the city before taking action, and because of this, it is important to make sure that the needs are met in a sustainable way to make the city long-lasting and efficient for future generations. As mentioned in the Bloomberg article, we are paying attention to the amount of energy needed and the amount of energy used. On the other hand, unlike Bloomberg, this article was geared toward having cities provide for their residents, and in the Bloomberg article, it seemed as if the goal was to build a sustainable city for the city and its future residents. It may be the way I interpreted it, but overall, Smith’s article seems to focus on the residents that the city currently has with Bloomberg’s article more focused on the future of the city as a whole.

    1. Aujanae Johnson

      I like your mentioning of the ‘smart cities’. This take by Smith was a great reinvention of what we know to be a “smart city” instead of surrounding them with tons of technology. A smart city, is a city that promotes healthy living and insure improvement in the city instead of damage.
      Great analyzation Shanelle!

  23. Sophie Troy

    The articles in Chapter 4 focused on consumption and consumerism as a sustainability issue. This chapter heavily critiques our ways of overconsumption and what they are doing to the environment. Today, and especially in America we live in a society that is driven by consumerism. Much of our economy is run by consumerism, however, this consumption has led to negative environmental impacts, such as waste and pollution. Two articles that really stuck out to me when reading chapter 4 in regards to consumption and consumer culture in the sustainability conversation were Jeffery Kaplan’s “The Gospel of Consumption” and Amy Westervelt’s, “Can Recycling Be Bad for the Environment?”.

    Jeffery Kaplan’s “The Gospel of Consumption” details the rise in consumerism in the 20th century and what it means for us today. Kaplan says that in 1919 things such as cars, electricity in homes, and electric streetlights were rare, however, it only took 10 years for these things to become common to everyone. This is when the Age of Consumption started to begin. Machines were invented that made materials more quickly and easily produced. While at first people feared that this would create fewer jobs for people, they soon found that this was not the case, and it actually just made it easier to more rapidly produce more materials. Industries such as textile mills and shoe factories began to overproduce items. In fact, in an interview, James J. Davis states that “‘the textile mills of this country can produce all the cloth needed in sic months’ operation each year'” (Weisser 406). Kaplan explains this overproduction and overconsumption in which our society operates as “the gospel of consumption”, which he defines as “… the notion that people could be convinced that however much they have, it isn’t enough” (Weisser 407). Kaplan says that modern society is run by consumerism and that if we want to save the earth then we must stop overconsuming because right now our lifestyles are not sustainable. This overconsumption is producing negative consequences for the environment.

    Due to the consumeristic culture of our society as discussed in Kaplan’s article, large quantities of waste are produced. Amy Westervelt’s, “Can Recycling Be Bad for the Environment?” discusses one way that we try to deal with this waste, recycling. Westervelt states that while the initial intentions of recycling are good, the outcomes might not be as sustainable as we originally thought. Westervelt explains how “… recycling has also given the manufacturers of disposable items a way to essentially market overconsumption as environmentalism” (Weisser 449-450). He says that recycling has become a way for people to justify their overconsumption. He also explains that not all recyclables get recycled even when sent to the recycling facilities. Additionally, there are emissions that are produced when something is recycled, for example in studies done in California, “…recycling centers were, perhaps surprisingly, included amongst the city’s polluters” (Weisser 454). Additionally, for certain materials, emissions are greater to recycle that material than if the waste source was just reduced.

    After reading Chapter 4, it is clear that overconsumption is a big environmental issue and is not sustainable. Given the environmental impact of consumerism, I feel that the answer to this issue is to consume less. While that is obviously much easier said than done, it is probably the only way to reduce the environmental impact of consumption because there is no way to get rid of waste with no environmental impact whatsoever. If we continue to consume resources in the way we do we will continue to damage the environment until the effects are irreversible.

  24. Aujanae Johnson

    The chapter’s emphasis was on consumption and sustainability in local and urban settings. Consumption and consumer culture are essential for producing goods and services that satisfy consumers’ needs and desires while also being environmentally sustainable.

    The Bloomburg de Lille chapter emphasizes the significance and advantages of funding sustainable cities or initiatives. It stresses how large energy savings may be achieved if we concentrate on creating urban infrastructure with sustainability in mind, which is vital given the present global energy needs.
    The balance between urban expansion and environmental effect is a key issue raised by the article. Although having developed cities that satisfy our requirements is something we all want, it is important to take environmental impacts into account. By making investments in environmentally friendly projects and infrastructure, we may benefit from urban comforts and amenities while causing the least amount of environmental damage.

    The article also notes that attaining sustainable urban growth involves difficulties. The economic and environmental incentives for growing investments in cities are strong, despite these obstacles. This shows an increasing understanding of the value of sustainable development and a commitment to confront the challenges in order to build a better future. We can use technology and innovation to create secure, eco-friendly settings by funding sustainable cities and projects. This is in line with the more general objectives of reducing global warming, protecting natural resources, and guaranteeing a good standard of living for current and future generations.

    “The Gospel of Consumption” by Jeffery Kaplan is a thorough overview of the development of consumerism in the 20th century and its effects on modern society. The essay emphasizes the quick emergence of consumer society, with inventions like autos, residential electricity, and electric streetlights becoming widespread in just a decade after they were first uncommon in 1919. According to Kaplan, this signaled the start of the Age of Consumption, which was made possible by the development of machines that made it possible for commodities to be produced more quickly and effectively. Although initial worries about the potential loss of jobs due to increased automation were voiced, it soon became clear that these developments actually sped up the production process, causing overproduction in sectors like textile mills and shoe manufacturers.

    The significance of changing our consumption habits in order to attain sustainability is highlighted in Chapter 4. One of the most effective ways to lessen the effects of consumerism on the environment is to purchase less. We may reduce the need for manufacturing, which lessens the burden on natural resources and lowers waste creation, by intentionally choosing to use less resources and things. This strategy adheres to the ideals of resource conservation and sustainable living.

  25. Aidan Lese

    The world revolves around consumption: consumption of media, products, marketing, information- the list goes on. As consumers, we provide a demand and suppliers provide for that demand and influence consumers. The role of consumption and consumer culture in the sustainability conversation is providing honesty and sustainable options for consumers, and to make conscious decisions as consumers to choose sustainable products.
    Chapter 4 discusses both sides of this spectrum and how they affect each other. In Prince Charles’ “On the Future of Food”, he is more focused on providing consumers with sustainable options through food production. There will always be a demand for food and it is continuing to grow so it’s important to also focus on the effects that has on the environment. Prince Charles discusses many environmental issues that come with food production, one being our dependency on fossil fuels. He writes, “most forms of industrialized agriculture now have an umbilical dependency on oil, natural gas, and other non-renewable resources…and when you consider that in the past decade the cost of artificial nitrogen fertilizers has gone up fourfold and the cost of potash three times, you start to see the how uncomfortable the future could become if we don not wean ourselves off our dependency.” He also discusses the need for land as well as the substantial demand of water and how much of it is used in food production and how much of it is wasted. Suppliers must begin to use more sustainable practices in food production in order to keep providing consumers with their products. We have to be strategic about the way we use these materials or we’re going to run out very soon, leaving consumers with needs that cannot be met.
    On the other hand, consumers also must be aware of the decisions they make when consuming products and how their decisions impact the environment. Consumers create so much waste, so it’s important to try to make conscious decisions that lengthen the life cycle of products. But it’s also important to not fall into the manipulation of certain greenwashing practices. Some companies advertise sustainability and eco-friendly products but aren’t actually being sustainable. Amy Westervelt discusses in her article, “Can recycling Be Bad for the Environment,” how we as consumers may think we’re doing the right thing by recycling when in reality we could be just creating more waste. She states that “recycling has also given the manufacturers of disposable items a way to essentially market overconsumption as environmentalism. Every year, reports come out touting rising recycling rates and neglecting to mention the soaring consumption that goes along with them.” She further explains how American consumers feel better about buying more disposable products since they’re recycling them afterwards, not realizing the effects this has. Consumers neglect to consider what happens after using a product and companies are taking advantage of that.
    It’s important that suppliers and consumers both work to create a sustainable future. However, consumers can dictate what companies succeed so they must support sustainable companies/practices in order for those to thrive and become more impactful.

  26. jmj6206

    Chapter 4 of the book, “Introducing Sustainability” focuses on issues related to consumption and how they impact the environment. The essays in the chapter explore various aspects of consumption, including the role of consumer culture and its impact on sustainability. In this response, I will draw on the essays in the chapter to compare and contrast different perspectives on consumption and sustainability.

    One of the main arguments in the chapter is that consumer culture is a significant driver of unsustainability. This argument is illustrated in the essay by Buchholz and Rosenthal, “Consumer Culture and the Environment,” which highlights the conspicuous consumption that is associated with consumer culture. The essay argues that the desire to own more and more things is driving unsustainable patterns of consumption, and that this behavior is reinforced by advertising and marketing practices. This argument is also supported by the essay by Puig de la Bellacasa, “Household Sustainability in the US: Challenges and Opportunities,” which discusses the impact of household consumption patterns on sustainability.

    Despite this overall agreement on the negative impact of consumer culture on sustainability, the essays in the chapter offer different perspectives on the role of consumption in the sustainability conversation. For example, the essay by Hoogvelt, “The Urban Context of Sustainability,” argues that consumption patterns are a consequence of urban development, rather than the cause of unsustainability. The essay suggests that the systems of production and consumption that have emerged in urban areas are driven by a need to create economies of scale, which in turn encourages unsustainable patterns of production and consumption.

    In conclusion, the articles in Chapter 4 present different perspectives on the relationship between consumption and sustainability, but they all agree that consumption is a critical issue that must be addressed if we are to achieve a sustainable future. The essays highlight the interconnectedness of consumption with other sustainability issues such as city development, recycling, green jobs, and electronics. To achieve sustainable urban environments, we must find ways to decouple consumption from economic growth and to develop new models of production and consumption that prioritize sustainability.

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