Social Justice and the New Dream
At the New American Dream we often ask the questions "How much is enough?" and "What really matters?" For the majority of people in this country, these questions might prompt introspection; perhaps a reconsideration of our largely middle - class lives and values. But for many in other parts of the world and more than a few here in America, the answer to those questions is more likely to zero in on immediate and pressing needs: some shelter and enough food to stay alive.
The poorest 20% of the world's population--who consume just 1.3% of the earth's goods and services--don't have the luxury of deciding whether to upgrade their PCs or trade in their car. And yet, many North Americans (the vast majority of whom fall in the world's wealthiest 20% that consumes 86% of global goods and services), also consider themselves deprived of various material "necessities" and comforts.
Our consumer culture assures us that each one of us deserves the most we can get. Even our patriotism is sometimes measured by the amount we consume. More is better but it's never enough. Our "stuff" determines our status and we tend to compare our status to that of the ultra-wealthy, not the poor.
Some claim that our overspending turbo-charges the economy and actually helps the poor. Economists sometimes say a "rising tide lifts all boats." Unfortunately, experience has proven otherwise. While those of us on the bountiful side of the wealth gap keep the GDP booming with ever-increasing car, home, and "stuff" sales, 35 million sub-poverty line Americans still yearn for livable wages in their pockets and healthy dinners on their tables. Throughout the globe, almost 2 billion people live in poverty and, according to the UN, 800 million people go to bed hungry each day.
The earth does not hold endless stores of natural resources, nor is it capable of absorbing limitless levels of pollution. It would be physically impossible for everyone currently on earth to live the lifestyle of the average American - that would require the resources and absorptive capacities of four additional planets.
So what will we do when our 6 billion neighbors become 10 billion? New technology and improved efficiency can certainly help, but can only take us so far. We need a cultural shift, too.
The U.S. is currently dominated by a commercial culture loaded with messages to drive this, drink that, eat these, wear those, listen to this, watch that, and buy it all! Bombarded, it’s easy to fall in the trap of believing that what matters most is buying the latest, greatest thing. Few of us intend to drain the planet's dwindling resources, overwhelm its absorptive capacities, or perpetuate sweatshop labor, but our collective buying habits bear those very consequences.
Much can be done to make the world a better, more equitable place. As consumers, we can shop responsibly, rather than impulsively or conspicuously. We can also come together and demand durable, eco-friendly products made by
workers earning livable wages. As voters we can support policies that benefit underrepresented constituencies—both today's materially poor as well as the future generations that will inherit our land, air, and water.
So how much is enough? And what really does matter? These are economic, ecologic and moral questions. They may have simple answers, they may not. But the ability to answer with anything beyond the immediate goals of a bare and marginal existence will continue to elude billions of people as long as they have to struggle just to find some bread to eat, water to drink or a place to sleep. By becoming a conscious consumer you can help start a movement for social change that may one day allow us to truly answer those questions.
Learn more about the Conscious Consumer Marketplace.
If you would like for your company to be listed in the Conscious Consumer Marketplace, please email Mary Jo Snavely or call 301.891.3683 ext. 110.