Consumption or consumerism?

Today we are going to talk about something very important: responsible consumption. You might have heard these words before, but do you know what they mean? Let's find out together.

What is consumption?

Consumption is simply using things. For example, when you eat an apple, you are consuming an apple. When you use your backpack to carry your books, you are consuming the backpack. We need to consume things to live and have fun, like food, clothes, toys, and more.

What is consumerism?

Consumerism is when we consume too much. This happens when we buy and use more things than we really need. Imagine having many pairs of shoes when you only need a few. That is consumerism.

Difference between consumption and consumerism

The difference between consumption and consumerism is that consumption is using what you need, while consumerism is using more than necessary.

What is responsible consumption?

Responsible consumption is when we think before buying and use only what we really need. It means taking care of the planet by being conscious of our decisions.

Why is responsible consumption important?

Consumerism has a big impact on the environment. Here are some examples:

• Waste of Resources: By buying more things than we need, we use many resources like water, trees, and energy. This can deplete the planet's natural resources.
• Pollution: Many factories that produce things generate pollution in the air, water, and soil. Additionally, when we throw away things we don't use, we create a lot of garbage that takes a long time to decompose.
• Climate Change: The production and transportation of so many things increase greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to global warming and climate change.

How can we be responsible consumers?

Here are some ideas to practice responsible consumption:

• Buy only what you need: Before buying something, ask yourself if you really need it.
• Reuse and recycle: Use things more than once and recycle what you no longer need.
• Take care of your things: If you take care of your belongings, they will last longer, and you won't have to replace them as often.
• Share and donate: If you have things you no longer use, donate or share them with others who need them.

Remember, every small action counts to take care of our planet. If we all are responsible in how we consume, we can make a big difference.