Sustainability 101

The reading this week discussed the issues of over-consumption. The article by Faud and Luke stated “If there is a critical mass population that can minimize future risk around the big global issues then it is the rich 20 per cent of the global population whose total mass and flow of consumption is causing most of the problem”. Throughout the semester we have discussed the issue of over consuming and the negative effects it has on our environment at a whole. It is no surprise to me that the author of this article has discovered that same problem. I want to address this issue and help aid in over-consuming. Using what is necessary is key, although it is tough, it’s what is important.

            The article discusses the importance of customizable products that consumers are so crazy about. It states “Demands for products that are more easily personalized and customizable, tend to offer the promise of more durable emotional relationships.” I want to focus in on this and help people feel this way about products. Last week, I talked about having my own store that was environmentally friendly and focused on the upcycling of materials. I want to expand on that idea and talk about aiding in over-consumption. And what better way to do that than making my products personalized and customizable. My theory is that if my consumers have a product that is changeable, customizable, and personalized, they won’t feel the need to buy, buy, buy and waste products. I want to make a product that is set just for them so the problem of over-consumption is fixed just a bit!

            The old saying is “A girl can never have enough shoes”, but from an environmentally sustainable view on this, I may just have to disagree! Girls I know, including myself, have an overwhelming amount of shoes in their closets. We feel like we need a flat for day time, a wedge for a casual date, and a heel for a night out on the town. But what if we could incorporate all of these into one shoe? And that’s how I came up with my idea! I want to create a shoe with a detachable heel. A heel that comes in different shapes, sizes, colors, and heights. The basic shoe will be a classic look. It will come in customizable colors and shapes to fit the preference of the customer. When you buy the shoe, it will come with 3 different heel options; A wedge, a heel (of your height choice), and one more heel that’s colored (what girl wouldn’t want a spunky splash of color on their shoe!) This concept with help with the over consumption problem our generation has. Instead of buying 3 different pair of shoes, you buy on pair that are perfect for all occasions.

            I think the most important thing I have learned in this course is over consumption. I have always been involved in this problem. Before this class, I never really thought about over buying and the harm it does to my environment. I am now more aware of this issue and I want to help fix this problem. Of course, I have to start with myself on that. I will be conscious of how much I am buying. I will also make others around me aware. We have to bring awareness of this problem before it can be fixed and that is one thing I plan to do. Over and over I have talked about wanting to own my own store one day. I would like to learn how I can do this sustainably. I want to know building methods, electricity, materials, all of the above to make sure my store really is not harming our environment even more. I want to research this and understand the concepts and ways to make a store sustainable.