Break! Spend! Use! Consume!

There is a great stampede to accomplish this short list of human consumer activities. We are more intent upon spending and using up the Earth's resources than we are about conserving them and living sustainable lives.

Whether at home in our cozy Canadian housing, at work, in stores or at school, we want to use everything up as quickly as possible. Why? There is no possible rational explanation. But here is an [irrational] explanation.

First let us remember that this type and rate of consumption is criminal and unjust to those who suffer wont - those who are hungry and homeless and helpless in the face of a harsh economic climate. We are using the resources that are needed for a sustainable global future. If we do not cease then we will perish.

We are already robbing our brothers and sisters in all nations so we can live lavish and self-indulgent lives while they starve along with their children and parents. Their suffering feeds our greed in our “open market system”.

Some call this “the culture of entitlement.” It includes the benefits we derive from a global slave trade that makes those of previous centuries seem insignificant. This is the source of much wealth and 'disposable income'.

So why do we consume at what is likely the highest rate of any people of any nation in the world or in history? The sad news about that is that we are all caught up in a frenzy of consumerism that is perpetrated by large corporate industry.

This is driven by advertising and marketing that cares only for profit and nothing for the future or for environmental responsibility. [Think about the plots and characters of television's Mad Men.] They need and want us to spend spend spend.

This is what drives corporations – sales. In this way they grow stronger and bigger and richer and more powerful. This happens at the expense of the vulnerable and the Earth.

And the rate of consumption is destroying the earth, the water, the air, all creatures great and small, the Earth's atmosphere, our health and any hope for a happy and safe future.

How can we make it stop and change? By simple self control in our lifestyle habits! Be thrifty with money and resources and time.

Think about how much water and food you use and how much garbage and compost you produce. Some communities do not produce any garbage and prove that our wastefulness is unnecessary. Always do the math.

We can change the world one small decision at a time. We must always consider our children's future when we break, spend, use and consume everything. We are sentencing them to a very bleak future and they want us to stop.

But we ask ourselves, “What could children possibly know that we adults do not?” The answer is quite simple. They know that they will perish if we do not cease and desist in these destructive and self-destructive behaviours.

Search your conscience and ask yourself whether you really want to destroy the hope and opportunities of every future generations of humanity. I know I don't.

So I have been modifying my behaviour with my children and grandchildren in mind, and with their help. I hope you will do the same.

Be economical in everything. Use less and want less. Prudence and economy were considered to be virtues for several thousand years prior to our consumer age.

We should redeem and embrace this heritage of sustainability in all things and teach it to our children as a desirable character trait and as a social virtue.

Peace

"Don't keep the peace...pass it on."