Value B - Reduce Material Consumption

<p>One basic assumption of our modern world-view that leads to self-destruction is that 'more is better', especially as this relates to material goods. We can choose to disengage from a 'disposable culture' that encourages us to keep madly working, to keep madly buying, to reach the illusive goal of happiness. We can focus more on what brings us meaningful happiness and reclaim our identity as citizens instead of consumers.</p><h2>Multimedia</h2> <p>LIFE AFTER GROWTH - ECOMONICS FOR EVERYONE:&nbsp; Film by enmedia productions 25:10 minutes<a href="http://www.vimeo.com/10871269" onclick="window.open('http://www.vimeo.com/10871269','','');return false;"> http://www.vimeo.com/10871269</a></p> <p>BOTTLED WATER – DISASTER: Facts Compiled from Various Sources: 2:00 minutes [<a href="/sites/default/files/content/BTC_Bottled%20Water-Disaster.pps" onclick="window.open('/sites/default/files/content/BTC_Bottled%20Water-Disaster.pps','','');return false;">bottled water disaster.pps</a>]</p> <p>PLASTIC BAGS: Facts Compiled from Various Sources:&nbsp; 2:00 minutes [<a href="/sites/default/files/content/BTC_Plastic_Bags.pps" onclick="window.open('/sites/default/files/content/BTC_Plastic_Bags.pps','','');return false;">Plastic_Bags.pps</a>]</p> <h2>Readings</h2> <p>How long does garbage live in the ocean: Monika Marcovici <a href="mailto:monika@greenworx.com">monika@greenworx.com</a>. On a recent family vacation I photographed these posters at the Vienna zoo...</p><p>Here's what they say:<br />How long does garbage "live" in the ocean?<br />Apple cores: 2 months<br />Cardboard: 3 months<br />Newspapers: 8 months<br />Cigarette butts: 12 months<br />Painted wood: 13 Years<br />Plastic cup: 50 Years<br />Milk carton: 100 Years<br />Aluminum can: 200 Years<br />Plastic bottle: 450 Years<br />Diaper: 450 Years<br />Fishing Line: 650 Years<br />RadioActive Waste: 250,000 Years<br />Glass: Undetermined time</p><p>Ocean Vacation? or Holiday at the Dump?<br />6,500,000 tonnes of garbage go into the ocean every year.... the equivalent of 162,500 cargo containers 4,700,000 tonnes of oil... or 470 Supertankers are dumped into the ocean every year.</p><h2>Additional Explorations</h2><h4>Consume Less</h4> <p>Affect of branding products on people: <a href="http://www.davidsuzuki.org/about_us/Dr_David_Suzuki/Article_Archives/weekly07290501.as" onclick="window.open('http://www.davidsuzuki.org/about_us/Dr_David_Suzuki/Article_Archives/weekly07290501.as','','');return false;">www.davidsuzuki.org/about_us/Dr_David_Suzuki/Article_Archives/weekly07290501.as</a></p> <p>Advertising perspectives: <a href="http://www.adbusters.org/about/adbusters" onclick="window.open('http://www.adbusters.org/about/adbusters','','');return false;">www.adbusters.org/about/adbusters</a></p> <h4>Reduce and Re-Use</h4> <p>Carbon Footprint Calculators <a href="http://www.myfootprint.org/en/your_carbon_footprint/" onclick="window.open('http://www.myfootprint.org/en/your_carbon_footprint/','','');return false;">MyFootPrint</a> or <a href="http://footprint.wwf.org.uk/" onclick="window.open('http://footprint.wwf.org.uk/','','');return false;">World Wildlife Fund</a></p><p>Habitats for Humanity’s Re-stores sell and accept donations of used building supplies, appliances, and assorted home decor item. In BC: <a href="http://www.vancouverhabitat.bc.ca/" onclick="window.open('http://www.vancouverhabitat.bc.ca/','','');return false;">www.vancouverhabitat.bc.ca</a>&nbsp;</p> <p>For international information <a href="http://www.habitat.org/" onclick="window.open('http://www.habitat.org/','','');return false;">www.habitat.org</a></p> <p>Why reducing plastic consumption will make a difference:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <a href="http://www.helium.com/items/1463592-easy-steps-to-reducing-consumption" onclick="window.open('http://www.helium.com/items/1463592-easy-steps-to-reducing-consumption','','');return false;">www.helium.com/items/1463592-easy-steps-to-reducing-consumption</a></p> <p>Why the biggest plastic landfill is in the Pacific Ocean:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <a href="http://www.science.howstuffworks.com/great-pacific-garbage-patch.htm" onclick="window.open('http://www.science.howstuffworks.com/great-pacific-garbage-patch.htm','','');return false;">www.science.howstuffworks.com/great-pacific-garbage-patch.htm</a></p> <p>Waves of Disaster: <a href="http://www.straight.com/article-157369/waves-disaster?rotator=1" onclick="window.open('http://www.straight.com/article-157369/waves-disaster?rotator=1','','');return false;">www.straight.com/article-157369/waves-disaster?rotator=1</a></p> <p>Plastic bags and their impact on our environment: <a href="http://www.natural-environment.com/blog/2008/01/10/environmental-impact-of-plastic-bags" onclick="window.open('http://www.natural-environment.com/blog/2008/01/10/environmental-impact-of-plastic-bags','','');return false;">www.natural-environment.com/blog/2008/01/10/environmental-impact-of-plastic-bags</a></p> <p>How To Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle Plastic Shopping Bags: <a href="http://www.environment.about.com/od/reducingwaste/a/no_plastic_bags.htm" onclick="window.open('http://www.environment.about.com/od/reducingwaste/a/no_plastic_bags.htm','','');return false;">www.environment.about.com/od/reducingwaste/a/no_plastic_bags.htm</a></p> <p>Recycling and the Zero Waste Challenge in Metro Vancouver at this website: <a href="http://www.metrovancouver.org/services/solidwaste/recycling/Pages/default.aspx" onclick="window.open('http://www.metrovancouver.org/services/solidwaste/recycling/Pages/default.aspx','','');return false;">www.metrovancouver.org/services/solidwaste/recycling/Pages/default.aspx</a> or <a href="http://www.charityvillage.com/cv/charityvillage/donate.asp" onclick="window.open('http://www.charityvillage.com/cv/charityvillage/donate.asp','','');return false;">www.charityvillage.com/cv/charityvillage/donate.asp</a></p> <h4>Recycling</h4> <p>How to Make Money from Scrap Metal: <a href="http://www.xomba.com/how_to_make_money_recycling_scrap_metal" onclick="window.open('http://www.xomba.com/how_to_make_money_recycling_scrap_metal','','');return false;">www.xomba.com/how_to_make_money_recycling_scrap_metal</a></p> <p>For recycling alkaline batteries in BC: The Society Promoting Environmental Conservation (SPEC): <a href="http://www.spec.bc.ca/greenpages/question.php?questID=71" onclick="window.open('http://www.spec.bc.ca/greenpages/question.php?questID=71','','');return false;">www.spec.bc.ca/greenpages/question.php?questID=71</a></p> <p>The Recycling Council of British Columbia <a href="http://www.rcbc.bc.ca" onclick="window.open('www.rcbc.bc.ca','','');return false;">www.rcbc.bc.ca</a><br />In the Lower Mainland of BC Call: 604-RECYCLE (604-732-9253)<br />Rest of BC:
1-800-667-4321</p> <p>Federal Government of Canada information on electronic waste: <a href="http://www.ec.gc.ca/envirozine/english/issues/33/feature1_e.cfm" onclick="window.open('http://www.ec.gc.ca/envirozine/english/issues/33/feature1_e.cfm','','');return false;">www.ec.gc.ca/envirozine/english/issues/33/feature1_e.cfm</a></p> <p>Why electronic waste is harmful if recycled overseas? <a href="http://www.recycle.ubc.ca/ewaste.htm" onclick="window.open('http://www.recycle.ubc.ca/ewaste.htm','','');return false;">www.recycle.ubc.ca/ewaste.htm</a></p> <p>Free Geek Vancouver, Ethical Computer Recycling: <a href="http://www.freegeekvancouver.org/" onclick="window.open('http://www.freegeekvancouver.org/','','');return false;">www.freegeekvancouver.org/</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Portland Oregon, USA: <a href="http://www.freegeek.org/" onclick="window.open('http://www.freegeek.org/','','');return false;">www.freegeek.org</a></p>

<p>One basic assumption of our modern world-view that leads to self-destruction is that 'more is better', especially as this relates to material goods. We can choose to disengage from a 'disposable culture' that encourages us to keep madly working, to keep madly buying, to reach the illusive goal of happiness. We can focus more on what brings us meaningful happiness and reclaim our identity as citizens instead of consumers.</p>

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