Archive:000/Frugalism: Difference between revisions
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Consider various types of consumer goods, such as clothing, electronics, kitchenware, furniture etc. For each good, consider how long it ''could'' last. Then compare with the status quo of how often people ''actually'' replace it. Using the ratio between the two stats, we can calculate what percent of environmental impacts could be avoided if people chose to replace stuff less often. | Consider various types of consumer goods, such as clothing, electronics, kitchenware, furniture etc. For each good, consider how long it ''could'' last. Then compare with the status quo of how often people ''actually'' replace it. Using the ratio between the two stats, we can calculate what percent of environmental impacts could be avoided if people chose to replace stuff less often. | ||
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* Also mention [[appliances]] - does replacing them really save energy when you consider the energy it takes to manufacture/deliver/install the new appliance? Rule of thumb: if it saves money (without gov't subsidizing the replacement) then yes. (also note that "big oil companies are subsidized too" is true but not a counterargument. manufacturing the appliance relies just as much on subsidized oil (maybe moreso) as the energy in your home). | |||
* Talk about [[thrift stores]] (make new page?) and how they get overloaded (too many donations, not enough buyers, stuff still ends up in the landfill) and the solution is for people to not buy so much NEW stuff in the first place. Culturally we need to make it our default that when we need some item we first check our own homes, then ask friends/neighbors if they have one they aren't using, then look for it in thrift stores or used online, and then only as a last resort buy it new. I can uncomment this talk when I phrase it better and after I filled out the 'examples' section above so people can first see why this matters. | |||
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====Tips==== | ====Tips==== | ||
Revision as of 22:36, 25 August 2023
About half of all energy usage is affected by what people buy, and how much of it. Pie chart will be added here soon. See also: Why energy usage serves as a good general estimate of carbon emissions.
In this sense, we can save the planet by being cheap.
We can still have nice things, just replace them less often.
Note: This is mostly relevant to people who live in developed countries, especially middle-class and richer. If you take a walk in a middle-class neighborhood on garbage day, you'll see the type of stuff people throw out.
Examples
This section has not been filled in yet.
Analysis needed for this section: Consider various types of consumer goods, such as clothing, electronics, kitchenware, furniture etc. For each good, consider how long it could last. Then compare with the status quo of how often people actually replace it. Using the ratio between the two stats, we can calculate what percent of environmental impacts could be avoided if people chose to replace stuff less often.
Tips
This section has not been filled in yet.