Western Consumer Research Paper

In this essay, the notion as to whether environmentalists are likely to persuade Western consumers to either buy less or shop differently will be discussed in close reference to sustainable consumption, production and development. This paper will deal with the view that environmentalists are likely to persuade this particular type of consumers. Major environmental issues are feasible to influence these buyers to act differently when consuming products and services. Many examples of these environmental matters will be examined in this essay. Global warming is the biggest concern. Global warming may be defined as an increase in average global temperatures. An example of this is that the world temperature has risen by 0.8 degrees Celsius

There are many ways to go about tackling this issue because in doing so, there will be a reduction in the environmental impact caused by over-consumption primarily, in the Western world. Three proven ways consumers can protect the environment and prevent further damage to it are to reduce, reuse and recycle when purchasing products and services. The most important form of conservation is that of our natural resources. By reducing, reusing and recycling products less land will be used up and therefore wasted. Consumers who buy less, lower the amount of waste produced by the concept of reducing. To reduce waste, consumers need to buy goods and services in a more efficient manner. Those who use materials repeatedly, and only buy new forms when absolutely necessarily, practice the notion of reusing. To prevent littering by disposing of items incorrectly, buyers should reuse when then can. And finally, buyers who gather worn out or old materials and use them in different ways for new things are deemed recyclers. They should recycle or compost those products and packaging which cannot be

Sustainable consumption is defined as the purchasing of goods and services that have the least negative impact on the environment. These goods and services are deemed reasonable and economical. In the past 5 decades, the combined total of all previous generations and the amount of goods and services they consumed proved to be less than what was consumed by the worldwide population over the past 50 years. (Tillard 2000). This major fact, will encourage consumers to shop differently and buy less in the Western world. This rise in consumption impacts different parts of the world in different ways. For example, in the Western world it has resulted in economic growth and an improved quality of life. However that is not the case in less developed countries in the Eastern world, where this growth has degraded the environment causing natural and inevitable disasters such as rising sea levels, droughts and a reduction in clean, safe drinking water. According to researched statistics, the richest one fifth of the world, evidently in the Western world is responsible for 86% of consumption whereas the poorest one fifth account for less than 1% of all global consumption. (Tillard 2000). The major limitations of sustainable consumption include shortcomings of awareness, knowledge and on-going support as well as social costs. There is also a lack of