Consumption

 

Our habits of consumption put strains on the environment and on livelihoods.  From emissions and wastes that pollute the earth and destroy ecosystems, to the depletion and degradation of resources, our choices to consume take a toll on the world around us.

It is time to consider the ecological, economic, and social impact that consumers can make through purchasing choices. We can create a positive effect on our economy, community, and the natural environment by making more deliberate consumer decisions.

For example, if consumers demand more products and services that are produced sustainably, the private sector and the government will meet that demand accordingly. Our choices as consumers drive the economy and our communities -- and, consequently, the health of the environment.

What choices can we make (and encourage others to make) for a more sustainable campus and planet?

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Food:  When we think about consumption, food is probably one of the first things that comes to mind. As we eat, think about how our food choices relate to sustainability and our human impact on the Earth. 

Air: Air is a vital resource for humans and other life.

Land: Info about our connection to the land, at Furman and beyond.

Water: Water is a precious resource and one we depend on for our lives.

Energy: Energy, and how we use it, is one of the biggest factors determining the future of our planet's natural resources and the health of the environment on which all of life depends.

Waste: Although we might think that we throw things away, there really is no such thing as "away". 

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Buy Wisely A site from the Center for a New American Dream

Take The Good Stuff? quiz Do you know your good stuff from your bad stuff?

Green Purchasing A collection of tips and links devoted to green shopping habits.