Why do americans not care about their astronomical rate of consumption?

Why are Americans so jaded to the idea of reducing, reusing, and recycling the things they buy? Are they even aware that almost every environmental problem can be traced back to us and our insatiable appetite for goods? Why do we not care, even if we know the facts? Do we feel like we deserve it? Do we not wanna be inconvenienced? It is a ideology thing? Do we think its not our problem, or that we don't matter? What is it!?Why do americans not care about their astronomical rate of consumption?You are assuming everyone is? I bet you have at least one game console. Latest games?



I don't, I have better things to do with my time.



What I find ironic is people such as yourself will laugh at what George Carlin talks about- yet much of what he talks about is not that funny if you understand and actually listen to what he is talking about. Sadly he is deceased. But he lives on on youtube, just enter his name and see what he has to say about radio and television- the content is called programing for a reason.



And you wonder why? I bet you fail to see the social engineering in your classroom as well. I bet you also fail to understand the problem of packaging. Yes, there is a problem with shoplifting, and that attributes to "some" of it, but not all of it. Have any drink boxes in you fridge? Why? People are often critical of others without paying attention to their own failings.Why do americans not care about their astronomical rate of consumption?
Because at least half the population believes that they do not have to make sacrifices. This is the right wing. It's no secret that ronald reagan was like this he removed solar panels from the white house because he believed that americans didn't have to sacrifice. Sarah palin has arrogantly said this today and want to drill and destroy alaskan wildlife. It is sad that people still think this way.Why do americans not care about their astronomical rate of consumption?TrollWhy do americans not care about their astronomical rate of consumption?
Credit cards.Why do americans not care about their astronomical rate of consumption?I feel you. I've gotten into this argument with my neighbors.... they live in this house during the summer, only 3-4 months out of the year. It's huge. Five beds, 2.5 bath, the basement is finished, there's an enclosed porch, two living rooms... you get the picture. They live there alone. There's more but I won't bore you, you get the idea.

I think it is definitely an inconvenience issues with Americans. When problems that arise from climate change worsen, like food prices raising due to droughts or monsoons in the countries that our produce is grown, we simply complain but since most can afford it pay it anyway.

I grew up in a community that has always recycled, the town picks up our bins so it's pretty easy. When I went away to college it was UNBELIEVABLE to me how many people throw everything away. It still blows my mind! It isn't difficult to put your bottle or paper in the bin adjacent to the waste bin.

I think that it is also an ideology thing. The American dream is to be able to provide whatever you'd like to your happy healthy family so they don't want to be inconvenienced by anything.

Once the consequences of climate change start to climax, and it affects our everyday life, I think Americans will finally take a notice. It's unfortunate that by then it will probably not be much help =(

This is of course a generalization! There are good people doing good things out there!Why do americans not care about their astronomical rate of consumption?
The whole system we live in is built around consumption and we've all been well educated by corporations NOT to think before consuming. In fact the idea of endless consumption was dreamed up after the second world war by an American economist to get the economy going (thestoryofstuff.com). It'll be a huge challenge to adjust that model. Partly we have to create sustainable products for consumption to replace the damaging ones we currently consume. Partly we have to consume less and live with the economic impact of that...ie we must wean our markets off the idea that only constant growth will be rewarded.



Also, the green movement needs to sell its message much more effectively to the public. This means using marketing tactics and there's another problem - marketers are seen as the enemy, and so the Green movement isn't too good at marketing.



Ultimately, corporations, marketers, the public and the Green movement all have a role to play and they all need to work together. So it's a bigger issue than just not caring.



If you're interested, I have written about this topic in more detail at http://tinyurl.com/4awlwmn

and I write about sustainable marketing at marketingheart.wordpress.com