How my consumption patterns impact the environment and ways to be more efficient in my use of materials.
Most studies have found that consumption has a significant impact on our environment. It has been established that the China and its enormous industries produce more greenhouse gas emissions than any other country and this explains why some parts of China experiences serious smog and airborne pollutant issues. However, to recognize the real threat to environment, one has to look beyond well-known primary causes of pollution like industries and agriculture. Instead, one must look at this issue from the perspective of whose needs do these primary sources of pollution serve. From this viewpoint, it has been established that household consumers are the biggest threat to our environment. In other words, when we look at this issue from the perspective of household consumer, then we realize that our habits and consumption patterns have a significant impact on the environment. Researchers have indicated that consumers are 60 percent responsible for carbon emissions than industries that produce goods.
Industrialization and the growth of various economies as well as our improved standards of living have caused a significant increase in the municipal solid waste mostly in countries that are still developing. When these wastes which we get after consumption are not efficiently and appropriately disposed then they are likely to cause different types of pollutions which will significantly affect the environmental. Recycling these wastes, however, is a beneficial way in which we can improve our environment. Our choices of which product we consume may also have a considerable threat to our environment. Consuming eco-friendly products is an alternative way which we can use to more efficient in our use of products.
My consumption patterns lead to direct environmental pressures for the use of goods and services that are not eco-friendly. For instance, when am driving a car or even using a fuel to heat my room, then am creating a pressure for the production of more carbon fuel which is a global environmental threat. Looking at environmental pollution from the perspective of consumption lead us to various powerful points of reducing these pollution. Complementary actions to reduce the impact of consumption patterns on environmental pollution include reusing and recycling of products so that we improve the eco-efficiency of waste management. We can also reduce level or challenge our consumption patterns from eco-intensive goods and services. Furthermore, changing our behavior to complement technological improvements is necessary since putting focus on consumption can help in solving issues that cannot easily be solved by policies that focuses solely on production and technology. Maintaining sound management of chemical wastes throughout their cycles is also key in protecting our environment.