The Red, White, and Green

I was always thought I was a careful consumer–considering environmental impact as well as my family’s bottom line when contemplating purchases–but with the current economic crisis, I’ve found myself re-thinking every purchase, no matter how mundane: Why buy a new shampoo when I’ve got a few bottles (albeit ones I don’t like very much, but still perfectly usable) in my closet? My favorite flats are wearing thin, and I could use a new pair, but why don’t I just send them to the shoemaker and replace the soles instead? 

And that’s when it occurred to me: The current economic crisis isn’t just forcing people to make changes that will help them save money. It’s bringing a sea change to America’s culture of consumerism. And this new careful consideration of how we spend our money benefits the environment. A few concrete examples:

• Scaling back on expensive vacations. Instead of jetting off to Europe, more and more Americans are taking trips closer to home. (A roundtrip flight from Los Angeles to London releases 2,304 pounds of CO2 into the atmosphere, according to the TerraPass flight calculator.) I, for one, have rediscovered camping (added eco bonus: connecting with nature, and marshmallows that easily biodegrade in my stomach).
• Buying products that last. When I do have to make a purchase, you can bet that I’m going with the longest lasting, most durable product–even if it costs a bit extra. Less consumption of short-lifecycle goods means less waste headed for the landfill. (If you haven’t seen the “Story of Stuff” yet, watch it now.)
• Staying in my neighborhood. I’m saving money on gas and reducing carbon emissions at the same time by staying in my neighborhood (or biking or walking) whenever possible. LA has a car-centric culture, but is actually very walker friendly (sidewalks everywhere!). Why do I need to drive to some restaurant five miles away when there are a dozen great places in my ‘hood? 

Some may argue that the US economy is built on consumerism–after all, part of the reason the economic crisis is worsening is that people who have lost their jobs and homes have drastically reduced spending, forcing businesses that rely on that spending to lay off even more workers, who then in turn stop spending because they no longer have a paycheck (and the downward spiral continues). But if anything has become clear in recent months, it’s that our planet–and our economy–can’t support out-of-control consumer greed.

–Jennifer Grayson

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