10/8/2014

Dylan Rickard
How does consumerism in America effect the environment?

What are you assuming when you ask this question?

o Consumerism has a negative influence on the environment.
o As technology and consumerism grow, the environment is adversely
influenced.
o If the current economic system continues its perpetual growth.
Destructive, in the long run, to the environment
A contributing factor to poverty around the world
A contributing factor to hunger amongst such immense wealth
Numerous other social and ecological problems
Sub-Questions
o How are the products and resources we consume actually produced?
o What are the impacts of that process of production on the
environment, society, on individuals?
o What are the impacts of certain forms of consumption on the
environment, on society, on individuals?
o What is a necessity and what is a luxury?
o How do demands on items affect the requirements placed upon the
environment?
o How do consumption habits change as societies change?
o Businesses and advertising are major engines in promoting the
consumption of products so that they may survive. How much of what
we consume is influenced by their needs versus our needs?
o Also influential is the very culture of today in many countries, as well
as the media and the political institutions themselves. What is the
impact on poorer nations and people on the demands of the wealthier
nations and people that are able to afford to consume more?
o How do material values influence our relationships with other
people?
Why (Story)?
o The environment is the most important thing on earth, because
essentially it is the earth! It requires humans to maintain and be
aware of what they are doing to harm it. Organizations such as the
World Nature Organization (WNO) and Worldwatch Institute (WWI),
strive to make sure humans are cognizant and courteous to the
environment and the world we live in. My interest in this topic is
derived from the necessity to conserve the place we do everything in;
eat, breathe, walk, talk, etc., but also making it possible to sustain
consumption and consumerism.
Why does this question and the answering of this question matter?
o The upkeep of the environment is essential to life on earth.
To whom does this matter?
o This topic is fundamentally imperative to all living beings.

10/8/2014

Dylan Rickard

How would you research this question, using both primary and
secondary sources?
o I could email and ask the head of the previously mentioned
environmental groups to get first hand knowledge of how the
programs work and what the statistics are that they have involving
consumerism effecting the environment.
o Secondary sources would be easier to find, I could use current and
past, as well as future predictions on global warming and other
negative effects on the environment that the growing consumption of
goods has on it. As well as research different valid articles that
discuss the growing economy and different products that are in great
demand and how they effect the environment and ones everyday life.