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Vidar platform - 126 members |
Dilemma: Consumption & Globalisation
Proposals:
| Wood consumption |
| | Over the last one hundred years, the use of fossil fuel has grown thirty times, and industrial production has grown fifty times. More land has been cleared for settled cultivation than in all the previous centuries of human existence combined. Demand for wood and the over-farming of marginal land has resulted in erosion. Since 1950, the world has lost 20% of its topsoil from its agricultural land, and 20% from tropical forests. Soil is washed away during violent storms.Although developing countries represent a greater proportion of the world's population and are responsible for significant environmental damage overall, it is the developed nations that have caused the most damage. The developed world makes up only 20% of the world's population, yet consumes 85% of its resources. The average person in the developed world uses forty times more energy than someone in the developing world. If the developing world were to demand equal energy consumption from the combustion of fossil fuels and access to the same level of resources, it is doubtful that the Earth would cope.Growth in population means growth in consumption and a greater demand on natural resources for production. Even if consumption in the developed world can be reduced, population growth in the developing world will raise the level of consumption of these resources. Because natural resources such as fossil fuels, fresh water, minerals and agricultural land are finite, further demand will result in increased costs for everyone. Some essential minerals such as mercury or silver may run out altogether. Unsustainable development in developing countries is linked to the sale of their natural resources to developed countries and the consumption of these resources by people in developed countries. The three causes of unsustainable development in developing countries are growth in world population, a rise in energy consumption in developed countries, and increased resource consumption in developed countries.The solution is a combination of reduced consumerism in the developed world, and reducing population growth in the developing world. Improved management of resources is a necessity. What you can do As consumers, we have the power in our pockets and purses to change the world. Each time we buy something, we are casting a vote. Each purchase is a direct encouragement to the manufacturers to make similar items. In addition, by avoiding products which are harmful to the planet, you are sending a clear message to their manufacturers which states, 'Either you make your product environmentally friendly or you'll go out of business!' By spending on green products, you are supporting better initiatives.The production of goods often involves cruel, wasteful or damaging uses of resources. For example, factory-farmed meat, throwaway containers used in fast food cafes, over packaged goods and big petrol-guzzling cars. Use cotton handkerchiefs or cloth instead of paper kitchen rolls. If buying wood, ask the supplier if their products are from sustainably managed forests. Consume sustainable products of rainforests such as Brazil nuts. Obtain a sturdy shopping bag or re-use old plastic bags. If your cat or dog is neutered, it will cut down on the strays and unwanted animals which have such a destructive impact on nature.Write a letter or email to manufacturers, supermarket chains and shop owners. Let them know the changes that you would like to see, such as less packaging or more organic foods. If they don't have your opinion, they won't know where they are going wrong. Last edited 02.12.2006 by: mimishorr |
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| Can we survive? |
| The western world consumes more and more, it can't continue. If the whole world consumed as much as us we would need 5 globes, and we only have one! One solution could be to find another planet, or build a colony in space, where life is possible, and send some of our population there. But as we know space technology hasn't come that far, and although astronomist search for new planets with life, they haven't found one yet. But what we CAN do to save our planet from destruction is: - Use less energy....
- Turn off our electronical devices, when we don't use them....
- Eat more healthy food....
- Produce less luxury goods....
Made by Caroline and Kit. 4th of December, 2006. Last edited 04.12.2006 by: kitty | Health proposal |
| Our proposal for how we should avoid over consumption and obesity: The people should eat until they're satisfied, not too much... We think that commercials have a very big influence on what we eat, so we should only advertise for healthy food, instead of things like Mc Donalds, chips, sweets and other kinds of fat food. We could also make a campaign, that shows the dangers of eating unhealthy food. The campaign could also give some good advice on how to lose weight and live a healthy life. For example to exercise and what food to eat. The shops could also lower the prices of light products, so that more people could be able to afford it. The schools, sports clubs and other organisations shouldn't sell hotdogs, French fries, sweets and other kinds of unhealthy food.
We don't think that it goes well with a place where you exercise. Our opinion is that too many people don't think of what they eat, and don't worry about their health. Therefore somebody should tell them how dangerous it is to be too heavy, and that one billion people's health is threatened because of obesity. Written by: Julie J and Maja Last edited 30.11.2006 by: juliej |
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