Rethinking Consumerism: Younger Generations Lead Shift Towards More Sustainable Lifestyles
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More consumers, especially young people, are questioning shopping and consumption as leisure activities due to environmental concerns. Sales of secondhand clothing are surging.
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"Degrowth" and "post-growth" theories argue that capitalism and endless economic growth are no longer the best ways to allocate resources and meet basic needs.
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Critics say rich countries must address inequality and overconsumption, not just emissions, to build sustainable prosperity. Concepts like doughnut economics aim to balance social and ecological goals.
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Surveys show many citizens, even in rich countries, are open to reducing living standards to protect the environment. But some economists still argue growth can be "green".
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Indicators are mixed - self-storage and SUV sales are booming, suggesting enduring materialism, but some consumers like Kat Butler have permanently changed habits to cut waste.