Climate Action Challenge: Rethink consumerism
As the holidays approach, it’s easy to get swept up in the frenzy of buying, cooking, eating, repeat. So, this month, we’re looking at ways we can rethink December. This pandemic has required us to do a lot of creative thinking this year, and this holiday will be like no other. Let’s focus on what’s important instead of grabbing a glass of wine and making a date with Amazon. In this season of giving, make it a priority to give with your heart before giving with your wallet. Giving doesn’t necessarily mean shopping. And a price tag doesn’t indicate how much you love someone. Now there are ads for cars, and thousand dollar phones to show how much you care. Seriously? My grandma used to be thrilled to get an unwrapped orange!
Don’t forget to give generously to people who really need it. Our food banks, charities and local organizations are all suffering, and there are more people in need than ever before. Consider giving one less gift to everyone on your list, and pooling that money as a donation to a local group who really needs it. Here are your challenges for December:
Dec. 4: This week, notice where regularly purchased items come from, and buy as close to home as possible. Get creative with your gift-giving. Buy less. Give experiences. Buy local. Re-gift. Hand down heirlooms. Buy used goods from online sources, or thrift shops. Pare down.
Dec. 11: Want to know how consumerism damages the planet? Here are a few videos for you. The Problem with Consumerism: youtu.be/x0ckvo2Z5BU. Did you know the average person’s carbon footprint explodes exponentially over the holidays? Yikes! Also, CBC Marketplace’s Tracking Amazon Returns: youtu.be/W1yqcagavfY. Spoiler alert: most Amazon returns go to landfill. Yeah. You heard me.
Dec. 18: Use cash instead of Interac or credit if you shop for holiday gifts this week – you’ll spend less and consume less.
Dec. 23: Turn off all electronics and head outside for a walk one evening this week.
Dec. 30: Make your New Year’s resolution an environmentally sustainable one from one of the four main categories: transportation, home energy, consumption (buying stuff), food.
Our obsession with buying things is actually what makes the holidays more stressful. It’s an orchestrated pressure that we can choose to opt out of. So let yourself off the hook this year, and do something good for the environment at the same time.
Our key message for December is to slow down and enjoy the holiday season, instead of running yourself ragged trying to make it perfect. We’re going to need a healthy dose of compromise and endurance to make it through this pandemic. That doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice the things that are important. Celebrate the festival of lights in this dark time. Crank up the cheesy tunes, and watch sappy movies. Tell people you love them. Remember what family is about. Be grateful for your friends, and all the things you have. Be generous of spirit. Forgive. From Laurel and me to you and yours, Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, joyful Diwali and Kwanzaa, and may you be blessed with health and happiness this holiday season.
52 Weeks of Climate Action was created by Sherri Jackson and Laurel Hood. Visit the blog or sign up at www.52weeksofclimateaction.com.
