Concerns of ecologically conscious consumerism / of an ecologically conscious way of shaping one’s life- Protection of nature and its resources
- Protection of the biodiversity
- Preservation of the very basis of our existence
- Healthy food, clothing and environment
- Sustainability (We fulfill our needs and aspirations without limiting the chances and possibilities of future generations.)
- Man sees himself not as ruler or owner of nature, but as part of it
- Higher quality of life
The Possibilities
General Behaviour
- Identification of suggested needs
- Identification of dependency on corporations and consumer goods
- Identification of own consumption behaviour (food, clothing, media, news, ...)
- Self-Responsibility
- Discussion of the own definition of ‚quality of life’ and the question: ‚How much is enough?’
- refuse, reduce, reuse, repair, recycle / refusal of consumption, diminution of consumption, reusing, reparation, recycling
Immediate Effects of Ecologically Conscious Behaviour of Consumerism
- no support of exploitative conditions of work and use of resources by corporations
- no support of appropriation / management of vital goods (water, seeds etc) by corporations
- no support of environment destroying work- and cultivation methods
- no support of the production of food or clothing with genetically manipulated organisms, which create a dependeny on corporations and present hazard to nature and man
- no support of high energy consumption and environmental pollution by importing goods
- money is kept in the vicinity, flowing off of capital towards corporations (supermarkets etc) is not being supported
- thus support of prosperity of the vicinity and greater diversity
- support of concerns mentioned above
Practical Possibilities of Application and Implemenation
Food (Vegetables, Fruit, Meat, Diary Products, Cereal Products, Water etc)
- avoidance / reduction of meat consumption
- buy at organic market, at organic food shop, pay attention on local and seasonal goods
- buy by retail
- buy at fairtrade stores
- cultivate your own food on balcony, in garden, community-garden etc
- use fallow ground in cities
Clothing
- buy from selected clothing producers
- buy Second Hand
- fleamarkets
- clothing exchange
- revaluate, recycle used pieces of clothing, eventuall by seamstress
Cosmetics
- pay attention on selected products (organic shops, organic cosmetic shops…)
Household Products
- pay attention on selected products (organic shops etc)
Household
- pay attention to electricity consumption
- use green electricity
- pay attention to consumption of heat energy
- isolate
- use house / apartment and its exposure in an energy-efficient way
- pay attention to water consumption
- check out alternative possibilities of energy supply
Waste
- avoid waste
- separate waste
- if possible create compost or organic waste bin
Transport
- bicycle
- public transport
- train
- carsharing
- do not buy a new car
- pay attention on pollutant output and consumption of your car
- if flying is necessary: www.atmosfair.de etc
Financial Investment / Banks
- no investments with major banks or financial institutions which are not transparent in terms of how the money is being used
- ecological banks, green / ethical investments
Building (Interior Work, Construction/Building of a House etc)
- pay attention on origin and certification of materials (prefer locally and sustainably produced and/or sustainable materials)
Health and Medecine
- engage in preventative actions (physical exercise and activities, Yoga, Tai Chi etc)
- pay attention to approach of your doctor (wholistic or treating the symptoms)
- become acquainted with and integrate wholistic and alternative cures or healing methods
- choose your doctor carefully
- if possible, get an alternative diagnosis
- if possible, choose an insurance that supports alternative cures
Life and Job
- integration of above mentioned concerns / engaging in ecological principles and integrated / systemic thinking
- create communities and networks
to all points mentioned above you will find links here
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