WORRIED ABOUT THE AMERICAN DREAM

One concept lies at the core of issues that make me worry about the fate of human kind.  It is responsible for our need to go to war over resources.  This problem is causing loss of our rainforests and species diversity.  It’s responsible for the increasingly frenetic pace of life and over-flowing landfills.

This concept is generally labeled “Over Consumption” but the words Progress, Greed, and Affluence also apply.  A desire to succeed at life drives us to jump on the treadmill and remain there until we retire.  The media leads us to believe that more is better and that we owe it to ourselves to “have it our way” and “just do it.”

Americans are at the top of the heap when it comes to using the earth’s resources.  It has been estimated that Americans consume over 25% of the earth’s resources while representing only 5% of the earth’s population.  No wonder we are at war!

I see a direct correlation between happiness and simplicity.  Do yourselves and the earth a favor - slow down, stop chasing money and the goods we buy with it.  If we don’t buy it, they won’t make it.  The resources won’t be extracted from the earth or fought over, the manufacturing plants won’t add to pollution and the product won’t ultimately end up in the landfill. 

Camille Armantrout