A Vision of Sustainable Consumption

The Scope.

One of the ways that humans have achieved an advanced civilization is through invention and innovation. The creativity, resourcefulness and intelligence of our species allowed for the invention of tools that we rely on today. From running water to the internal combustion engine, many of the tools of civilization were conceived before anybody could imagine the environmental impacts of civilization or the need to support a population of seven billion.

Development has historically existed without considering the impact on natural resources and the environment. Only recently have the effects of development become evident, leading to efforts of preservation and conservation along with a growing scientific understanding of anthropomorphic impacts on the environment.

As environmental awareness continues to grow all over the world, so does the number of options we have to "be green."  Whether it is a decision to go solar, buy an electric car, consume more local goods, or donate to an environmental organization, the choices are often more expensive and require extra effort. Even as these choices become more affordable, the problem is that the choice between sustainable and non-sustainable goods and services remains in the hands of the consumer.

Most companies are not interested in educating their customers on how to make more sustainable choices, but using the green label as a selling point for their product. We see 'organic' and 'eco-friendly' products as premium products instead of viewing these qualities as standard. Today, it is still up to the consumer to choose between saving money and saving the planet. 

The EarthFix Club created a survey to find out what people do to live a more sustainable lifestyle. In the responses so far we can already see that the desire to live sustainably leads to using less of something (electricity, cars, processed food, non-recycleable goods). This may suggest that individual consumers feel responsible for their impact on the environment.

While it is important for Western economies to reduce unsustainable consumption behaviors, modern society will always need electricity, cars, and other tools of civilization. As we continue to make daily decisions to reduce our impact on the environment, we should expect the same from the businesses and economies that we interact with. 

The Vision.

The EarthFix Club's vision is to explore the methods for creating a more sustainable civilization, sharing stories and ideas from around the world.

The Mission. 

The EarthFix Club's mission is to make it easier for individuals, groups, organizations, and companies to be more sustainable and envision a human civilization that thrives within the constraints of our planet.