Concerns of ecologically conscious consumerism / of an ecologically conscious way of shaping one’s life

• Protection of nature and its resources
• Protection of the biodiversity
• Preservation of the very basis of our existence
• Healthy food, clothing and environment
• Sustainability (We fulfill our needs and aspirations without limiting the chances and possibilities of future generations.)
• Man sees himself not as ruler or owner of nature, but as part of it
• Higher quality of life

The Possibilities

General Behaviour

• Identification of suggested needs
• Identification of dependency on corporations and consumer goods
• Identification of own consumption behaviour (food, clothing, media, news, ...)
• Self-Responsibility
• Discussion of the own definition of ‚quality of life’ and the question: ‚How much is enough?’
• refuse, reduce, reuse, repair, recycle / refusal of consumption, diminution of consumption, reusing, reparation, recycling

Immediate Effects of Ecologically Conscious Behaviour of Consumerism

• support of concerns mentioned above
• thus support of prosperity of the vicinity and greater diversity
• money is kept in the vicinity, flowing off of capital towards corporations (supermarkets etc) is not being supported
• no support of exploitative conditions of work and use of resources by corporations
• no support of appropriation / management of vital goods (water, seeds etc) by corporations
• no support of environment destroying work- and cultivation methods
• no support of the production of food or clothing with genetically manipulated organisms, which create a dependeny on corporations and present hazard to nature and man
• no support of high energy consumption and environmental pollution by importing goods

Practical Possibilities of Application and Implemenation

Food (Vegetables, Fruit, Meat, Diary Products, Cereal Products, Water etc)

• avoidance / reduction of meat consumption
• buy at organic market, at organic food shop, pay attention on local and seasonal goods
• buy by retail
• buy at fairtrade stores
• cultivate your own food on balcony, in garden, community-garden etc
• use fallow ground in cities

Clothing

• buy from selected clothing producers
• buy Second Hand
• fleamarkets
• clothing exchange
• revaluate, recycle used pieces of clothing, eventuall by seamstress

Cosmetics

• pay attention on selected products (organic shops, organic cosmetic shops…)

Household Products

• pay attention on selected products (organic shops etc)

 
Household

• pay attention to electricity consumption
• use green electricity
• pay attention to consumption of heat energy
• isolate
• use house / apartment and its exposure in an energy-efficient way
• pay attention to water consumption
• check out alternative possibilities of energy supply

 
Waste

• avoid waste
• separate waste
• if possible create compost or organic waste bin

Transport

• bicycle
• public transport
• train
• carsharing
• do not buy a new car
• pay attention on pollutant output and consumption of your car
• if flying is necessary: www.atmosfair.de etc

Financial Investment / Banks

• no investments with major banks or financial institutions which are not transparent in terms of how the money is being used
• ecological banks, green / ethical investments

Building (Interior Work, Construction/Building of a House etc)

• pay attention on origin and certification of materials (prefer locally and sustainably produced and/or sustainable materials)

Health and Medecine

• engage in preventative actions (physical exercise and activities, Yoga, Tai Chi etc)
• pay attention to approach of your doctor (wholistic or treating the symptoms)
• become acquainted with and integrate wholistic and alternative cures or healing methods
• choose your doctor carefully
• if possible, get an alternative diagnosis
• if possible, choose an insurance that supports alternative cures

Life and Job

• integration of above mentioned concerns / engaging in ecological principles and integrated / systemic thinking
• create communities and networks

to all points mentioned above you will find links here