SSCI 165Lgw Lecture 5: Week 5 Notes
10 Mar 2017
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Consumption is increasing, but is treated by ssci as fixed and inviolable. If we focus on consumption, we can think instead in terms of sufficiency, how to organize to reduce the absolute size of inputs from and outputs to biosphere. As products or systems become more efficient, they save money for the consumer and are thus compensated in volume (i. e. more efficient cars, more roads). [kleenex, paper towels]): misconception: undermines an individual"s own well being even if there are no aggregate effects on the population or species (obesity, alcoholism). Tries to substitute consumption in the absence of fulfilling basic psychological needs. Process of opening and taking market share leads to creating new needs (swiffer, bottled water). Damage to common resources creates need for private spending (water and air filters). Overwork leads to need for services (prepared foods, eating out) Aiming for a midrange consumption that meets sustainability standards of the global poor and reduces overconsumption.
