When it comes to preserving the environment, the responsible consumption it is a fundamental factor on the part of society. We understand responsible consumption as an attitude of consumers and users, which means conscious and critical consumption, which can effectively use available resources when buying products or renting services and at home.
In this article we are going to tell you what is responsible consumption, what is its importance and its characteristics.
What is responsible consumption
In addition to understanding their rights, responsible consumers and users are also guided by social and environmental standards in order to create a favorable environment for all and ensure consumption with minimal impact on the environment. The purpose is to improve life on this planet. Contribute to the quality of life of the people of the world and of future generations.
Responsible consumption is based on two maxims, namely, consume less and what we consume is as sustainable and supportive as possible. This attitude is established as one of the guiding principles of public policies in the "Law of Autonomy of Andalusia". The legal basis for responsible consumption and sustainable production can be found in articles 191 and 193 of the EU Operational Treaty.
Buying means satisfying needs or wants, but it also activates a series of economic, social and environmental processes. In this sense, doing this responsibly means buying what is consumable and what is not; what is our true economic availability, and then choose the products, not only for their price or quality, but also because they respect the environment because the companies that produce them are governed by the principles of human rights and social justice.
In addition, responsible consumption is an attitude that can also be exercised at home and in life habits. In caring for and improving the environment, citizens must internalize their responsibilities as individuals. Simple gestures like saving electricity, heat, water or fuel can improve the quality of life in the community.
Key features
Once we know what responsible consumption is, let's see what its main characteristics are:
- This is a made conscious because it is premeditated, putting freedom of choice before advertising and imposing the pressure of fashion.
- It is important because it asks about the social and ecological conditions under which the product or service is produced.
- Is ethical, and is based on values such as responsibility, austerity as an alternative to waste and consumerism or respect for the rights of producers and the environment.
- It is ecological and avoid wasting natural resources, because mass production will reduce the environment.
- It is healthy because it encourages a lifestyle based on a healthy and balanced diet and the purchase of quality products that respect the environment.
- Is sustainable, because reducing unnecessary consumption can improve the quality of life on the planet and the environmental balance, and will produce less waste.
- Is supportive, since it is united with other peoples and future generations, because the rights of the former are respected and the rights of the latter are guaranteed.
- Es socially fair because it is based on the principles of non-discrimination and non-exploitation.
- It has the power of social change. Consumers have the ability to transform pure consumer behavior into real citizen behavior. In this way, through everyday gestures, it is possible to contribute to important changes in the rules and patterns of social production and consumption.
- El public power has the responsibility to formulate norms to make the economy sustainable, to support and respect human rights, but the irresponsible choice or mode of consumption is the individual consumer.
Responsible consumption in society
The way we consume is the cause and result of many environmental problems facing the planet today: deforestation, plastic invasion, climate change and loss of biodiversity, so we make small decisions about what to eat, where to buy or how much. every day. It is more important than we think.
Companies have an important responsibility in preventing sources of pollutionHowever, they are betting on continuing to do the same because that is exactly what their consumers want.
The basic standards for responsible consumption are: local commerce, low carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, close distance between producers and consumers; production processes that respect the environment, they use zero or minimal chemical inputs, promote biodiversity and protect the soil Practical, sustainable water, management and maintenance of ecosystems, as well as reduction of packaging; fair and socially responsible trade, ensuring respect for culture, good working conditions and inclusive and democratic decision-making processes in business relationships based on transparency.
Decisions and conscience
How many times will we consider all this before buying? How often do we like to make food pantries in the local market to support the family economy or the farmer network? We check if the product does not contain disposable plastic, do we prefer bulk stores? Do we care if the products we buy are produced at the expense of the overexploitation of natural resources and even the poorest people in the country?
These decisions make the difference between a responsible production system based on the real needs of the population and a production system at the expense of the development of natural assets, the culture and work of people living in rural areas or poorer living conditions.
We need to reflect on these situations more often, understand them, verify what more environmentally friendly alternatives exist and begin to change our decisions, because this correspondence between corporate decisions and purchasing decisions reveals the power of consumers.
As you can see, it is in our hands to be able to make a correct responsible consumption to damage the minimum environment in our daily lives. I hope that with this information you can learn more about what responsible consumption is and the importance it has for the conservation of the environment.