Conscious Consumers & Global Warming
Conscious consumers make a lot of their decisions based on the impact their actions will have on global warming. When deciding between two products or services a conscious consumer will do their best to choose the one with lower emissions, even if it means paying more for that product/service.
A conscious consumer understands they can decrease their impact on greenhouse gasses by eating less meat, traveling green when possible, and supporting companies that actively reduce or eliminate their emissions.
Conscious Consumers & Loss of Biodiversity
In many cases it’s difficult to pinpoint the root cause of biodiversity loss because there are so many factors, but the main driving force is habitat destruction. Conscious consumers do what they can to stay informed and make smart decisions about products that are known to contribute to habitat destruction.
A few big topics like palm oil and its contribution to habitat loss effecting orangutan continue to make headlines. According the the World Wildlife Fund, an area equivalent to the size of 300 football fields of rainforest is cleared every hour to make room for palm oil production. As a result of the media attention, many conscious consumers will only purchase certified sustainable palm oil products.
Conscious Consumers & Pollution
Pollution can range from plastic trash in the ocean all the way to emissions from factories. Conscious consumers reduce their use of plastic and goods that lead to emissions.
The textile industry is the second largest contributor to environmental pollution behind the oil industry. Conscious consumers reduce their consumption of textiles by repairing their belonging so they last longer, shopping second hand, and adopting a minimalist approach when it comes to their wardrobe.
Conscious Consumers & Deforestation
Trees are cleared to feed the growing demand for food and goods. It’s estimated that one and a half acres of rainforest are cleared every second, and at this rate our rainforests will be completely destroyed within the next 40 years.
Reducing our consumption is the most effective way to cut the demand for products that require the destruction of valuable forests.
Conscious Consumers & The Ocean
Sea level rise. Ocean acidification. Over fishing. All of these issues are tied together by one common denominator: over consumption. The bottom line is that we need to be more aware of our impact and reduce our consumption. The solution starts with the individual and will be reached one step at a time.