Impact of lifestyles and consumerism in the environment

1. LIFE STYLES &
CONSUMPTION STYLES
Imelda Cárdenas Sierra
Sustainable Development
Instituto Tecnológico de Saltillo

2. The Consumption Perspective in Environmental Research
For a very long time social science research on the environment was more oriented
towards the production process. It was not before the emergence of a critical discourse
with regard to negative environmental effects of the (global) consumer society that concept
of lifestyles and the domain of consumption have attracted more and more attention,
especially after the Rio summit in 1992.

3. The Lifestyle Perspective
Lifestyles are group specific forms
of how individuals live and interpret
their lives in a social context.
Lifestyles link social structure to
attitudes and behavior.
In order to describe a lifestyle
(group) three core dimensions have
to be combined: social status,
attitudes and preferences, behavior.  Social status
 Attitudes & preferences
 Behavior or praxis

4. Consumerism vs Consumption
CONSUMERISM
Is a type of social arrangement that
exists when our wants, desires and
longings for consumer goods drive
what happens in society and when they
are primarily responsible for shaping
the social system in which we exist..
CONSUMPTION
In the simplest sense of the word,
consumption refers to the taking in or
using up of resources. Simply breathing
air or drinking a glass of water are
forms of consumption, and in this
sense, we need to consume to survive.

5. Consumerism and lifestyle
Consumerism shapes our wants, desires, and longings in such a way that we want
not simply to acquire goods because they are useful, but more so, because of what
they say about us.
In a society of consumers, consumerism is fueled by planned obsolescence, and
premised not only on the acquisition of goods, but also on their disposal.
Consumerism both functions upon and reproduces an insatiability of desires and
needs.

6. Planned obsolescence
Planned obsolescence is a business strategy in which the obsolescence (the process
of becoming obsolete—that is, unfashionable or no longer usable) of a product is
planned and built into it from its conception. This is done so that in future the
consumer feels a need to purchase new products and services that the
manufacturer brings out as replacements for the old ones.

7. The society of consumers
thrives on the inability of the
system of mass production and
consumption to meet our
desires and needs. Rather than
cultivating happiness,
consumerism is fueled by and
cultivates fear -- fear of not
fitting in, of not having the right
stuff, of not being the right kind
of person. Consumerism is
defined by perpetual non-
satisfaction.

8. This leads to
Obtained from http://www.internationalpaper.com/apps/hpedp/more.html

9. Environmental impacts of consumption
Obtained from UNEP Priority Products and Materials report

10. Obtained from UNEP Priority Products and Materials report

11. Indirect drivers that influence of economic activities
• Lifestyle
• Demography
• Monetary wealth

12. Social
change
Market
preferences
Reflexive
preferences
Policy
preferences
“I want to buy this”
“I would like to want something else”
“I would like the
government to do X”
Choosing a lifestyle can generate social change

13. How to achieve sustainable development?
Sustainable development cannot be achieved by technological solutions, political
regulation or financial instruments alone. We need to change the way we think and
act.This requires quality education and learning for sustainable development at all
levels and in all social contexts.

14. Tips for sustainable living
• Only purchase what you do really need.
• Try to repair an old item, instead of buying a new one.
• Buy used and/or recycled products (including textbooks) whenever possible.
• Refill reusable water bottles and store them in a refrigerator instead of buying new
disposable bottles of water.
• Wash only full loads of laundry.
• Take the bus, walk or bike to your destination.
• Take only what you will and choose fresh, less-processed snacks instead of processed
items with excessive packaging.
• Unplug your electronic devices when they’re not in use.
• When you leave the room, turn off the light.
And many more!

15. References
Barnhart, J. K. (1999).Teaching the ugly side of consumerism.TheTechnologyTeacher, 59(2), 27. Retrieved
from http://0-search.proquest.com.millenium.itesm.mx/docview/235285224?accountid=41938
Cole, N. What does 'Consumerism' means? Retrieved from About Education Web site:
http://sociology.about.com/od/C_Index/fl/Consumerism.htm
Dietz,T., Rosa, E.A. 1997. Environmental Impacts of Population and Consumption. In: Stern et al. 1997: 92-
99.
Reusswig, F., Lotze-Campen, H., & Gerlinger, K. (n.d.). Changing Global Lifestyle and Consumption
Patterns:. Retrieved from Center for International Earth Science Information Network :
http://www.ciesin.columbia.edu/repository/pern/papers/Lotze-Campen_Reusswig_Paper.pdf
Planned obsolescence. (n.d.). Retrieved fromThe Economist Web site:
http://www.economist.com/node/13354332