Encouraging sustainable consumption.

What do I think needs to be done to encourage people to consume more sustainably?

This is a broad question with many possible answers. Three main sub-divisions exist in my opinion-

-Consumer
-Government
-Private sector

These three organisations have interweaved networks of consumption and information provision. Obviously some responsibility for sustainable consumption relies on the consumer, however acording to rational choice theory suficient information is required about a product to make an informed choice. It also needs to be considered as to whether consumers will choose rationaly in terms of environmental sustainability or economic cost, or what weighting they will give to these options.

In terms of information provision responsibility could lie on the consumer to pressure govenment (government works for the people and will be voted out if people not satisfied), however government also has long term responsibility which I believe they are neglecting as a result of the above statement.

Private sector companies are the biggest contributors to an unsustainable environment, however they are bound by laws (of consumer demand and of national and international convention).

Hence cooperation between these three entities is essential in ensuring that end users make rational choices in terms of susatainability and that a good choice of environmentally friendly products are available with appropriate information.

Envblog1

This is a new blog covering info and opinions based on the sustainable consumption module from a UEA course in environmental sciences.

Today have been covering carbon footprints. Group activity to calculate Kg of carbon p/year per student using a calculator from Mark Lynas from the ethical thinking column of the Gardian newspaper.

Over the past year i have personally produced about 10,000 Kg of carbon... quite a bit compared to average of bout 6-7k. Pretty interesting results as had not previously thought I was this bad.

Missed first lecture.. oops and just looking over stuff from that now. To follow will be random thoughts with an env theme from the deepest darkest recesses of my mind... might apologise no in advance... maybe not.

Carbon calculator while quite interesting in my opinion has no power to change future carbon emissions unless linked with education programs and government incentives/penalties.
Whilst there are obviosly massive problems with using this quik and basic tool, some target based incentives could be made to work with this.