Choosing connection over consumption | Rolena Richardson | TEDxBard College

Environmental Impact of Consumerism - Annually, Americans discard over 12 million tons of furniture, equivalent to filling 1,600 Olympic swimming pools [1] - An estimated three-fifths (60%) of all clothing ends up in landfills or incinerators within a year of production, translating to a truckload of used clothing dumped or burned every second [2] - Global waste generation is projected to increase by 70% over the next 30 years, equating to 34 billion tons of waste each year [25] Critique of Capitalism - Capitalism is criticized for leading to the destruction of traditional values, environmental degradation, worker and consumer exploitation, and negative mental health effects [2] - Over the last 55 years, the global population has doubled, while global resource extraction has tripled [12] - From 2016 to 2021, global consumption exceeded 75% of the entire 20th-century consumption [13] - Capitalism prioritizes products that generate quick profits, such as fossil fuel vehicles, fast fashion, and cheap gadgets, leading to endless production and waste [14][15] Alternative Consumption Model - The report advocates for slow and empathetic consumerism, emphasizing choices that honor relationships between consumers and items, the people who made them, and the land the materials come from [8] - Slow consumerism challenges the fast-paced disposable culture, promoting fewer, higher quality items crafted with care and designed to last [8][9] - Empathetic consumerism invites compassion into purchasing decisions, considering the lives, traditions, and stories of the people behind the products [10] Call to Action - The report suggests five simple actions: question the value and impact of purchases, engage in creation, build relationships (not just transactions), prioritize giving over getting, and reconnect with nature [26][27][28][29][30][31]