COLUMN: Think about saving the planet, now
So we are supposed to THINK this year, huh. Aw man, that takes work and it means we have to determine how we feel about issues instead of being told what to THINK by the endless assault of advertising, mass media and pop culture. Can we do that? Can we rise above apathy and really decide that we are going to THINK about the impacts we are having on the world?
An important aspect of our lives is the way we decide to spend our money. Being college students, we have limited funds and most of our financial decisions are based on convenience and cheapness. Now that we are THINKing, let’s really look at the impacts our economic choices are having on the world around us.
If we continue to throw our money away on flashy cell phones, oil-guzzling automobiles, hazardous fast food, disposable plastic junk and other harmful products, not only are we damaging our own bodies and the world around us, but we are also sending a message about our generation to those in power. If we succumb to the persistent pressures of advertising campaigns and continue to support corrupt corporations, we become responsible for supporting these devious organizations and the crimes they commit.
Every dollar we mindlessly give to these organizations justifies their cruel treatment of child laborers, unhealthy work conditions, massive environmental degradation, coercion of the general public, lying and excessive greed. These companies will continue to serve us fatty, life-shortening food, despite the rise of obesity in America; continue to contaminate our houses with carcinogenic chemicals despite increases in cancer; and continue to poison our public resources, despite the growing cry for environmental justice. When we spend our money on these products we are justifying their actions and providing them with the means to continue. With no demand for these harmful products and services there would be no supply.
This is the first step toward conscious consumption; realizing our decisions have impacts and understanding that if we continue in our mindless purchasing habits, nothing will change. The next step is to realize that there are solutions, we do have choices, and we are not drones at the mercy of fat, cigar-smoking corporate executives. Now that consumers have woken up to the terror of current production methods, the demand for safe, efficient, non-toxic products is a force that markets cannot ignore. Farmers have transitioned from chemical-intensive, monocultures to organic growing methods. The rapid rise in demand for healthy food and products by thoughtful consumers has caused a huge supply increase and diversification of the “green” product market. Today there are natural, non-toxic, or organic options for nearly every type of product. From cleaning
supplies to body care to construction materials to food, the costs of alternatives is steadily decreasing due to increased competition in this progressive marketplace.
So fellow students and thin-wallet consumers, I urge you to take a fresh look at how you decide to spend your hard-earned money and what messages we are sending about our generation. Do not try to pass off blame onto anyone else, stand up and take responsibility for your actions. We, as consumers, are directly contributing to a plethora of problems that are confronting the world today, but we don’t have to. We must recognize our mistakes and work toward a brighter future. We have the power to remedy the errors of previous generations and set the world on a new course by supporting organizations and companies that are trying to do the same.
Come see what options you have at the “Green Product Display,” from Oct. 13 to 15. located in the TSC, during Natural Resources Week. You’ll learn more about the benefits of natural and organic products; get samples, stickers, prizes; and show your support for an environmentally friendly USU.
Scott Shine is the ASUSU natural resources senator. Comments can be sent to scottls@cc.usu.edu.