Sophistication (Mastery) – Critical Research Journal

The Growth in Consumerism and Its Impact on Climate Change

The relationship between consumerism and climate change is evident when we consider the direct and indirect ways in which human activities affect the environment. Consumerism refers to the acquisition of goods and services in an ever-increasing amount, and the economic systems in place are largely built on the assumption of continuous growth. However, this model is proving unsustainable. As consumer demand rises, so does the need for production, transportation, and disposal, each of which contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and depletes natural resources.

The production of consumer goods often requires significant amounts of energy, much of which is still generated from fossil fuels. For instance, industries like fashion, electronics, and food production all have massive carbon footprints. Fast fashion, characterised by rapid turnover of cheap clothing, is a key driver of emissions. The manufacturing process not only requires energy but also water, and often results in pollution from dyes and other chemicals. Similarly, the production of electronic goods necessitates the mining of rare earth metals, which damages ecosystems and consumes large amounts of energy.

Transportation also plays a role in climate change. Goods are often transported across long distances, with the shipping industry alone contributing significantly to global emissions. Air transport, which is vital for the movement of many consumer goods, is particularly harmful due to the high emissions from aircraft. Moreover, consumer demand for convenience and immediacy has driven up the use of air freight, further exacerbating the problem.

Waste management is another significant issue. As consumers buy more, they also discard more. Landfills release methane, a potent greenhouse gas, while incineration produces carbon dioxide and other pollutants. Even recycling, which is often seen as a positive step, requires energy and has its own environmental costs.

To address the role of consumerism in climate change, it is essential to rethink economic models that prioritise growth above sustainability. The concept of “degrowth” has been gaining traction among some academics and activists, advocating for an economy that prioritises well-being and ecological sustainability over the endless pursuit of growth. Consumer habits need to shift away from a throwaway culture towards one that values durability, repairability, and sustainability.

The Necessity of Population Reduction for Environmental Sustainability

Closely linked to consumerism is the issue of population growth. The more people there are, the more resources are consumed, and the more waste is produced. While technological advances and efficiency improvements have made it possible to sustain larger populations than ever before, these gains are being outpaced by the sheer number of people on the planet. The world population reached 8 billion in 2022, and projections suggest that it could exceed 9 billion by 2050 unless concerted action is taken.

The planet’s resources are finite. Land for agriculture is limited, as is the availability of fresh water. Climate change is already exacerbating water shortages and reducing agricultural yields in some parts of the world, and as the population continues to grow, these pressures will only increase. Deforestation, often driven by the need to expand agricultural land, is a major contributor to climate change, as trees that absorb carbon dioxide are cut down.

In addition to resource consumption, population growth also increases the demand for energy. While renewable energy technologies are advancing, fossil fuels still dominate the global energy mix, especially in developing countries where population growth is highest. More people require more housing, transportation, and infrastructure, all of which result in higher emissions.

Reducing the global population would ease pressure on the planet’s ecosystems and make it easier to transition to a sustainable way of life. Achieving population reduction does not necessarily require draconian measures; instead, it can be accomplished through a combination of education, family planning, and social policies that encourage smaller families. Increasing access to contraception and reproductive health services, especially in developing countries, would be a significant step towards stabilising the global population. Additionally, policies that promote gender equality and improve education for women have been shown to reduce birth rates.

Why Having Two Children is an Indulgence

In light of the environmental crisis, it is worth reconsidering the assumption that having two children is a right or even a neutral decision. From an ecological perspective, bringing a child into the world significantly increases one’s carbon footprint. Every additional person requires food, water, energy, and other resources, all of which have environmental impacts. Over the course of a lifetime, a single person will contribute significantly to global emissions, even with the most conscientious efforts to minimise individual environmental impact.

Historically, the two-child model has been seen as a balanced replacement rate, ensuring that populations remain stable. However, given the environmental challenges we face, it is reasonable to question whether this is still a sustainable goal. In wealthier countries, where consumption per capita is much higher, even having two children can be seen as an indulgence. Each additional person born into a high-consumption society adds disproportionately to the environmental burden. The decision to have children is deeply personal and often driven by cultural, social, and biological factors, but it is important to recognise the broader consequences.

Advocating for smaller families is not about denying people the opportunity to have children but rather about encouraging reflection on the environmental impacts of reproduction. Opting for one child or choosing not to have children at all can be seen as an act of environmental responsibility. This is not to suggest that people should be forced to limit the size of their families, but rather that society should shift its values to prioritise the well-being of the planet and future generations.

IVF Should Be Removed from the NHS

In the context of population concerns and environmental sustainability, the provision of in vitro fertilisation (IVF) on the National Health Service (NHS) merits reconsideration. IVF is a costly procedure that enables individuals and couples to have children who might otherwise be unable to conceive naturally. While the emotional and psychological benefits of having a child are undeniable for those who desire it, the environmental and economic costs must also be considered.

From an environmental standpoint, the question arises whether facilitating more births through IVF is consistent with the broader goal of reducing population growth. As discussed, smaller families are more sustainable, and given the pressing need to address climate change, public policy should encourage population stabilisation or reduction. IVF, by its very nature, promotes the opposite. Although IVF is not solely responsible for increasing the population, it does contribute to the birth rate by enabling those who might otherwise not have children to do so.

The NHS is funded by taxpayers and exists to provide essential healthcare services. While infertility can be a distressing condition, it is not life-threatening. Given the finite resources available to the NHS, difficult decisions must be made about which treatments to prioritise. With rising costs and increasing pressure on the healthcare system, it is arguable that IVF should not be a publicly funded service. The resources spent on IVF could be redirected towards treatments and services that have a more direct impact on public health.

Moreover, removing IVF from the NHS would not prevent people from accessing the treatment entirely. Those who are financially able could still pursue IVF privately. However, given the environmental and social implications of population growth, it would be reasonable to impose a high tax on private IVF treatments. This would not only discourage the practice but also generate revenue that could be used to fund environmental initiatives or public health programmes. Taxing private IVF at a high rate would reflect the broader societal costs of increasing the population and provide a disincentive for those seeking to have more children through artificial means.

It is important to note that such a policy would not aim to punish individuals who seek to have children, but rather to align public policy with the broader goal of sustainability. In an era of climate crisis, difficult conversations about population and reproduction are necessary. While individuals should retain the right to make their own reproductive choices, these choices should not be subsidised by the public purse, especially when they conflict with the urgent need to reduce our environmental impact.

Conclusion

The challenges posed by climate change and environmental degradation are deeply intertwined with patterns of consumption and population growth. The relentless pursuit of material goods, driven by consumerism, is accelerating the destruction of the planet’s ecosystems and contributing to global warming. At the same time, a growing global population places unsustainable demands on natural resources and exacerbates the environmental crisis.

Addressing these issues requires bold and innovative policy decisions. Advocating for smaller families, discouraging consumption, and removing non-essential treatments like IVF from public healthcare systems are all steps that could help mitigate the impact of human activity on the environment. While these policies may be controversial, they reflect the reality that our current way of life is unsustainable. The time has come to rethink our relationship with consumption, reproduction, and the planet we call home.

Before the term “street photography” gained prominence in the 1950s, the practice of capturing candid moments of urban life was often referred to as “documentary photography” or “social documentary.” This earlier form of photography was characterized by its focus on social issues, everyday life, and the human condition, often highlighting the struggles and realities of the working class and marginalized communities. The origins of documentary photography can be traced back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with notable figures such as Jacob Riis and Lewis Hine, who used their cameras to expose the harsh living conditions of the urban poor and child laborers, respectively. Invariably posed, their work laid the groundwork for a movement that sought to document social issues and advocate for reform (Petrovich & Cronley, 2015).

This approach was not merely artistic; it was deeply intertwined with social activism, aiming to raise awareness and provoke change through visual storytelling (Tulumello et al., 2019). As street photography began to evolve, it retained many elements of documentary photography, particularly in its emphasis on candidness and the portrayal of everyday life. Photographers like Henri Cartier-Bresson and Robert Doisneau, who emerged in the mid-20th century, continued this tradition but added a more artistic and spontaneous flair to their work. They captured fleeting moments that conveyed emotion and narrative, often within the bustling context of urban environments (Lee & Park, 2018). This shift marked a transition from strictly documentary purposes to a broader artistic expression, where the street became a canvas for personal interpretation and aesthetic exploration. The term “street photography” itself began to gain traction in the 1950s, coinciding with a burgeoning interest in modernism and the everyday experiences of urban dwellers. This period saw a rise in the appreciation of the street as a dynamic space filled with stories waiting to be told, reflecting the complexities of contemporary life (Hunt, 2014). The work of photographers during this time not only documented the streets but also engaged with the cultural and social changes occurring in post-war society, further solidifying the street’s role as a vital subject in photography. In summary, prior to the widespread adoption of the term “street photography,” the practice was largely encompassed by documentary photography, which focused on social issues and the human experience. As the genre evolved, it embraced a more artistic and spontaneous approach, culminating in the vibrant street photography movement of the 1950s.

The present-day

The term “street” has evolved significantly in more recent time, taking on connotations of edginess and danger, particularly in urban contexts. This transformation can be traced through various sociocultural dynamics, including the experiences of marginalised populations, urban planning, and the representation of street life in media and art.

Historically, the street has been a space where social isolation and danger intersect, particularly for vulnerable groups such as the homeless. Research indicates that individuals experiencing homelessness often navigate their lives in environments characterised by threats and violence, relying on street-based social networks for survival (Petrovich & Cronley, 2015). This perspective highlights the street as a site of struggle, where the harsh realities of urban life manifest in the form of social exclusion and risk. The narratives of these individuals often reflect a sense of edginess associated with the street, as they confront the dangers inherent in their living conditions.

From the 1970s onward, this sense of edginess became more prominent through the rise of urban subcultures, particularly hip-hop, graffiti, and street fashion. Hip-hop culture, which emerged in New York City during the 1970s, symbolised resistance and survival. Street graffiti, often seen as rebellious and illegal, became a visual representation of urban struggles. Over the years, street fashion also embraced the same raw and underground aesthetics, with brands like Supreme and Stüssy drawing from the rebellious ethos of urban life.

This evolving image of the street intertwines with broader socio-political movements, as the street has long been a platform for protest and visibility. The rise of alternative political movements, from civil rights to anti-globalisation protests, has utilised the street as a battleground for social change (Tulumello et al., 2019). The street thus becomes both a place of danger and a site of empowerment for those challenging established norms, amplifying marginalised voices.

The physical design and structure of streets also contribute to this image. Research in urban planning suggests that poorly designed streets foster environments that feel unsafe or chaotic, reinforcing their perception as dangerous (Lee & Park, 2018). Meanwhile, well-designed streets can foster a sense of safety and community engagement. This illustrates how the built environment influences perceptions of the street, which can either strengthen or weaken its association with danger.

In addition, the representation of street life in art and media has played a key role in shaping the cultural image of the street. Urban photography and cultural geography have portrayed the street as both vibrant and fraught with challenges (Hunt, 2014). Through this artistic lens, the street becomes a space that embodies both creativity and risk, cementing its edgy reputation in popular culture.

Thus, the term “street” has taken on its edgy, underground connotations through a confluence of factors, including the lived experiences of marginalised populations, the role of the street in political movements, urban planning, and its portrayal in art and media. Each of these elements contributes to a complex understanding of the street as a space that represents both struggle and resilience.

References

Hunt, M. (2014). Urban Photography/Cultural Geography: Spaces, Objects, Events. Geography Compass, 8(3), 151–168. https://doi.org/10.1111/gec3.12120

Lee, J., & Park, S. (2018). Exploring Neighborhood Unit’s Planning Elements and Configuration Methods in Seoul and Singapore From a Walkability Perspective. Sustainability, 10(4), 988. https://doi.org/10.3390/su10040988

Petrovich, J. C., & Cronley, C. (2015). Deep in the Heart of Texas: A Phenomenological Exploration of Unsheltered Homelessness. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 85(4), 315–323. https://doi.org/10.1037/ort0000043

Tulumello, S., Saija, L., & Inch, A. (2019). Planning Amid Crisis and Austerity: In, Against and Beyond the Contemporary Conjuncture. International Planning Studies, 25(1), 1–8. https://doi.org/10.1080/13563475.2019.1704404