Consumption Versus Sustainability Of The United States

Consumption versus Sustainability The United States is economy is based on a consumption driven model. Corporate law has more to do with lining shareholder pockets than environmental protection. Externalities have become a byproduct of doing business in the United States. Perhaps this is why economics has become an environmental issue as well as a financial one. The release of greenhouse gasses into the environment is increasing. The environmental impact of electronic goods is negatively affecting our ecosystem. From water, to farming, to the amount of trash we dispose of our consumption continues to impact our environment in negative ways; in the not so distant future the damage could become irreversible. Recycling helps a great deal, but, the only reasonable path back to a sustainable way of life must, by necessity, include less consumption. Many manufactured goods have substantial environmental effects associated with their manufacture and in some cases, their consumption. An example of this is Cotton productio n; it can take more than 5.28 gallons of water to produce 1kg of cotton, which is equivalent to a pair of jeans and a T-shirt, according to the World Wildlife Foundation. One look at a local mall and the scale of the water that is wasted becomes obvious. The Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI) state that 40 percent of food purchased in the U.S. is thrown away. National Geographic reports: Aquifers provide us freshwater that makes up for surfaceShow MoreRelatedSustainability Multiple Choice Questions1540 Words   |  7 PagesThe term sustainability refers to ________. A) maintaining resource use at current or higher levels B) keeping the natural environment and human society in a happy, healthy and functional state C) holding or increasing the current quality of human life D) always focusing on fulfilling short‑term needs E) opposing change from current policies Objective: 23.2 Sustainable development 2) The current use of fossil fuels versus the needRead MoreA Brief Note On The Marine Environment And Its Effect On Food Security And The Quality Of Life1381 Words   |  6 Pages Abstract The amount of waste created by the citizens of Earth cannot be sustained at the current rate of consumption and production. Together, the world generates 2.9 trillion pounds of waste of just food alone (Garfield, Gould, Insider, 2016). The more developed countries, like the United States, generate ten times as much waste as underdeveloped countries like Saharan Africa. 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In researching the increasingly pressing issue of food sustainability in global food service it was discovered that implementations are initially expensive and require large amounts of dedication but are ultimately huge factors in increasing brand loyalty and recognition and gaining popularity within the â€Å"green† market segment. It was the goal of this paper to outline specific concerns posed by the issue of food sustainability as well as methods of the industry’s participation in its solutions