Value B - Reduce Material Consumption
One basic assumption of our modern world-view that leads to self-destruction is that 'more is better', especially as this relates to material goods. We can choose to disengage from a 'disposable culture' that encourages us to keep madly working, to keep madly buying, to reach the illusive goal of happiness. We can focus more on what brings us meaningful happiness and reclaim our identity as citizens instead of consumers.
Multimedia
LIFE AFTER GROWTH - ECOMONICS FOR EVERYONE: Film by enmedia productions 25:10 minutes http://www.vimeo.com/10871269
BOTTLED WATER – DISASTER: Facts Compiled from Various Sources: 2:00 minutes [bottled water disaster.pps]
PLASTIC BAGS: Facts Compiled from Various Sources: 2:00 minutes [Plastic_Bags.pps]
Readings
How long does garbage live in the ocean: Monika Marcovici monika@greenworx.com. On a recent family vacation I photographed these posters at the Vienna zoo...
Here's what they say:
How long does garbage "live" in the ocean?
Apple cores: 2 months
Cardboard: 3 months
Newspapers: 8 months
Cigarette butts: 12 months
Painted wood: 13 Years
Plastic cup: 50 Years
Milk carton: 100 Years
Aluminum can: 200 Years
Plastic bottle: 450 Years
Diaper: 450 Years
Fishing Line: 650 Years
RadioActive Waste: 250,000 Years
Glass: Undetermined time
Ocean Vacation? or Holiday at the Dump?
6,500,000 tonnes of garbage go into the ocean every year.... the equivalent of 162,500 cargo containers 4,700,000 tonnes of oil... or 470 Supertankers are dumped into the ocean every year.
Additional Explorations
Consume Less
Affect of branding products on people: www.davidsuzuki.org/about_us/Dr_David_Suzuki/Article_Archives/weekly07290501.as
Advertising perspectives: www.adbusters.org/about/adbusters
Reduce and Re-Use
Carbon Footprint Calculators MyFootPrint or World Wildlife Fund
Habitats for Humanity’s Re-stores sell and accept donations of used building supplies, appliances, and assorted home decor item. In BC: www.vancouverhabitat.bc.ca
For international information www.habitat.org
Why reducing plastic consumption will make a difference: www.helium.com/items/1463592-easy-steps-to-reducing-consumption
Why the biggest plastic landfill is in the Pacific Ocean: www.science.howstuffworks.com/great-pacific-garbage-patch.htm
Waves of Disaster: www.straight.com/article-157369/waves-disaster?rotator=1
Plastic bags and their impact on our environment: www.natural-environment.com/blog/2008/01/10/environmental-impact-of-plastic-bags
How To Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle Plastic Shopping Bags: www.environment.about.com/od/reducingwaste/a/no_plastic_bags.htm
Recycling and the Zero Waste Challenge in Metro Vancouver at this website: www.metrovancouver.org/services/solidwaste/recycling/Pages/default.aspx or www.charityvillage.com/cv/charityvillage/donate.asp
Recycling
How to Make Money from Scrap Metal: www.xomba.com/how_to_make_money_recycling_scrap_metal
For recycling alkaline batteries in BC: The Society Promoting Environmental Conservation (SPEC): www.spec.bc.ca/greenpages/question.php?questID=71
The Recycling Council of British Columbia www.rcbc.bc.ca
In the Lower Mainland of BC Call: 604-RECYCLE (604-732-9253)
Rest of BC:
1-800-667-4321
Federal Government of Canada information on electronic waste: www.ec.gc.ca/envirozine/english/issues/33/feature1_e.cfm
Why electronic waste is harmful if recycled overseas? www.recycle.ubc.ca/ewaste.htm
Free Geek Vancouver, Ethical Computer Recycling: www.freegeekvancouver.org/ Portland Oregon, USA: www.freegeek.org
