Unhappy Shopaholics and the Ecological Decline

By Melissa Joseph-Mirani

Neon spandex and fanny packs are fads that many of us wish we could deny any relation to. These fads come and go, but the cost to the environment of these unsustainable shopping practices has definitely come back to haunt us in this time of growing ecological concern.

These days, it is a rare event to find any one of the local Toronto malls completely devoid of customers. These business centres are often bustling with shoppers who are delighted to spend their hard-earned cash on a large assortment of goods and services.

Interestingly, the Canadian Office of Consumer Affairs reports that in comparison to 1980 levels; compared in constant dollars, Canadians today are spending more on goods, accumulating more debt as a result of their unchecked spending habits, and generally saving less money than in the past.

Despite the costs, shopping has become a recreational pastime for many Canadians in our contemporary society. This trend has a large positive impact on a booming economy in Canada. Unfortunately, externalities such as human health, happiness, and quality of life, as well as the environmental damage caused by producing goods, are not factored into these detected economic trends.

Recently, environmental issues have topped the list of public concern in Canada. Interestingly, many experts indicate that consumerism is contributing to climate change, the depletion of global freshwater reserves, and the exacerbation of our landfill crisis.

So why do we continue to shop so much? Of course we all need a certain number of goods to live well. But after this basic level of necessity (and a couple of "one-time purchase lasts a lifetime" hobby items) has been met, the rest is just icing on the cake.

Now, I don’t know about you, but if I was really hungry I might think:
"Icing on the cake. Mmmmm. Delicious. I’d like one serving, please.
Oh, it’s chocolate flavoured? I’ll take two!
Buy 3, get the 4th free? Done!"

Sure, icing tastes great and no one will argue how joyous those seconds of slurping it up can be. But what happens later on? If you continue to devour icing like a wild monkey you might end up in a very poor state of health. Yes, poor—as in years of paying off debt to credit card companies. Poor, as in lots of environmental devastation to pay for through taxes and health. Poor, as in our poor kids who will be born in 10-20 years into a garbage heap of a world.

When the initial happiness of a new purchase wears off, all we’re stuck with is the bill. Fast-forward a few more months and those goods are in the trash; on their way to a landfill. Does this junk really bring us our money’s worth of happiness?

Positive psychologists have indicated that shopping for things we don’t need really does not make us happier. On the contrary, the struggle to be debt-free after years of buying unnecessary junk causes much stress and unhappiness. According to these experts, spending leisure time with loved ones, pursuing hobbies, and giving back to the community are key paths to happiness.

Where does that leave us students? The student life is a time when many of us take no joy in adhering to a strict spending diet.

Here’s a shift in perspective:
Student life is a great time to come to terms with cutting back on extraneous spending—and being okay with it. It is a great time to mature and realize that you don’t need all the toys to have fun, just a few great toys that will last. Plus, those of us with small budgets can be proud that at least for the time being, we are not contributing to senseless consumerism and ecological devastation. By cutting out unnecessary purchases, you are working on habits that lead to long term financial success, and you have taken a step towards being a special kind of person that this world desperately needs more of—an environmentalist.

Now, instead of waiting in lines at the mall, you can spend your time playing that guitar, honing your cartooning skills, or playing soccer in the park with friends.