Curated Quote -
“The most environmentally friendly product is the one you didn’t buy”
Joshua Becker ( 1974 - pioneer of the Modern Minimalist Movement)
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Everything you buy exacts some price from our planet.
[Buying something used is better than buying new, but more on that later]
The last year that humanity consumed less in a year than the earth could regenerate was 1970. Ever since then, we have been consuming beyond the capacity of Spaceship Earth to replace onboard resources. Humanity now consumes at the level of 1.7 Earth’s resources per year! If all humanity lived at the level of Americans, it would require five Earths to maintain current consumption levels.
If the prevailing view among most financial pundits that tariffs will lead to scarcity and inflation is correct, America is about to enter a period of scarcity and inflation. Additionally, there is a high degree of uncertainty, which typically causes consumers to pause before making a significant purchase.
Don’t worry! [Well, if you want to, go ahead and worry, it won’t change a thing]
Instead, take these three things you are or will feel economically - scarcity, inflation, uncertainty- and turn them into actions that will be small steps to face the climate crisis.
Scarcity
If something is unavailable, do without. Unless it is a true physiological addiction, you might not miss it. Buy something that is available and might be cheaper or healthier for you. In any case, know that not buying something is a planet-healthy action.
Inflation
If something has gone way up in price due to the scarcity caused by the tariffs, don’t buy it. Again, similar to scarcity, you will not make a purchase this time due to price, a planet-healthy action.
There is a long-term benefit to not buying due to price inflation if a large number of people take the same action; the price might come down. Remember, we the consumer represent 70% of the American economy. We are the demand, if “we” can be massed up.
Uncertainty
This is what causes consumers to postpone big purchases. This is what happens in recessions. A downturn leads to uncertainty, which increases the downturn as people refrain from making these purchases. By all measures, in early July, the second-quarter GDP will be released and will confirm that America is in a recession.
The big purchases are the ones where education can happen. Why are you buying it? To be up to date, like turning in an iPhone 13 for an iPhone 16 when you haven’t fully utilized the features on the 13? Planned obsolescence. Social pressure. Can you make do with what you have a bit longer? Three months/six months/ a year? Make this an opportunity to rethink the big purchases. Can it be repaired? The Right to Repair movement has exploded as people realize the environmental consequences of making big purchases and decide to repair instead.
Remember that statistic above about how indulgent Americans are that if the rest of humanity lived as we do there would be a need for five Earth’s worth of resources? We Americans own more big items - cars, TVs, washer/dryers, - than most other developed countries. The family has always had three cars with resultant costs and pollution. Try getting by with two cars. Make it a family project as you will be saving a few tons of CO2 going up into the atmosphere. Stand tall about it!
Buy Used not New
This is a great economic response to the above three things about to happen in America.. Used always costs less than new. So if something new is not available, buy used. If the price of the new item has gone up too much, buy used. If you decide that you do need that third family car, buy it used.
This is a big step to help with the climate crisis. When you buy something new, it means that, in some way, large or small, there has been some extraction or pollutant cost to the planet. Buying something used means that the prior owner was responsible for this taking from the planet, but you did not.
When possible always think used first before you think new. Why does it need to be used? Because your friends will think less of you? Turn the tables on them. Wonder out loud how they could be so unconcerned with the climate crisis that they would buy a new ___________.
The Sharing Economy
Do a survey of your immediate neighborhood, or even just a few neighbors. Maybe one neighbor needs a leaf blower; you have one. Maybe you are looking for a vacuum cleaner and another neighbor has one. Sharing and borrowing can take place when there is inflation, scarcity and uncertainty.
So we are in the stage of massive uncertainty with the tariffs. Next will be shortages, then inflation. The cost of living will go up. Make it a chance to do the right thing by converting how and if you buy to help face the climate crisis.
{[Sssssshhhh! Here is the secret: if you take actions with the Earth in mind, you will feel good about those actions. This often provokes people to look for other actions they can take. Ask family members or co-workers to brainstorm about next actions that could be taken. Then you will be crewing This Spaceship Earth.
Joshua Becker