The End of The Consumption Model

The end of the consumption model that has fueled economic development is near. Do you know why?

     Over the last several decades millions of people lived their lives on the belief that happiness was achieved by consumption of goods and services and there are three reasons that indicate that the end of this consumption model is near. During this time period people bought what they wanted but could not afford. They did this to fill a hole inside and in the process fueled this model with someone else’s money. In America, the result is that personal debt has soared over 70 percent and national debt over 80 percent in less than a decade. As no one can explain how we will ever pay off this debit with any reasonable degree of certainty, the average person has reverted to the age old wisdom called saving. In other words, the energy that fueled this model has evaporated. The end of the consumption model is additionally near because individuals have awakened to the fact that although they wanted these items, they did not need them. Now they are consciously aware of the difference between wants and needs. Finally, the impact on the environment is mind boggling, as 95 percent of America’s landfills are replete with items that either takes a hundred years to degrade or has no history of ever bio degrading (see footnote).  The world is also consciously aware (and angry) that 4 percent of the world’s population (America) produces 25 percent of the waste and they are not willing to accept our garbage.

Footnote: biodegrading period from the Bureau of Land Management

1.    Paper: 2-4 Weeks
2.    Banana Peel: 3-5 Weeks
3.    Wool Cap: 1 Year
4.    Cigarette Butt: 2-5 Years
5.    Disposable Diaper: 10-20 Years
6.    Hard Plastic Container: 20-30 Years
7.    Rubber Boot Sole: 50-80 Years
8.    Tin Can: 80-100 Years
9.    Aluminum Can: 200-400 Years
10.    Plastic 6-pack Holder: 450 Years
11.    Glass Bottles: Forever