Consumerism and the Environment<\/span><\/h1>\n <\/p>\n
by CAPP-USA<\/span><\/span><\/h5>\n <\/p>\n
For decades, the Church has pointed out the link between consumerism and harm to the environment. What is the environmental impact of consumerism? <\/span><\/p>\n\n![\"Consumerism](\"https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/bottles-dump-floating-garbage-87342-1.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
Consumerism and the environment are linked because excessive consumption exploits nature and ruins humanity<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Does consumerism really affect<\/strong> the environment?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nYes!<\/strong> The negative effects of consumerism are rampant and lead to “soul stifling materialism<\/strong>” (Pope St. Paul VI, 19)<\/a> which, in turn, has produced an ecological crisis. (Pope St. John Paul II, 15)<\/a><\/em><\/span><\/p>\nWhat is Consumerism?<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n
Many of us might think consumerism is simply an impulsive shopping spree or an occasional splurge. How does that harm the environment?<\/span><\/span><\/p>\nWe need to be clear: Consumerism in a sentence is “a style of life directed at ‘having’ rather than ‘being<\/strong>‘”… A person who is concerned solely or primarily with possessing and enjoying \u2013 who can no longer subordinate his instincts – cannot be free<\/strong>.” (Pope St. John Paul II, 36)<\/a> <\/span><\/p>\nThose splurges add up!<\/span><\/p>\nMass Consumerism<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n
Consumerism examples in the U.S. are not difficult to find. It’s rampant. Caused by an endless supply of consumer goods; the constant, algorithmically targeted barrage to buy<\/em>, and the expediency of on-line purchasing with its instant delivery.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\nThe physical ecological impact is obvious: raw materials, production costs, energy, packaging, transportation (air and vehicular), etc.<\/span><\/p>\nThe human ecological impact is less obvious. What begins as one impulse buy easily multiplies and becomes “a style of life\u2026which wants to have more, not in order to be more but in order to spend life in enjoyment as an end in itself<\/strong>.” (Pope St. John Paul II, 36)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nAll this contributes to an ever-increasing consumerism.<\/span><\/p>\nEffects of Consumerism<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n
The effects<\/strong> of Consumerism are<\/strong> both personal and societal<\/strong>.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\nBecoming focused more on “having”, rather than “being” it leads to the \u201cexcessive promotion of purely utilitarian\u00a0values\u201d.\u00a0(Pope St. John Paul II, 29)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nSuch excessive mass consumption “weakens\u00a0the\u00a0development\u00a0and stability of personal relationships”.<\/span>\u00a0(Pope Francis, 67)<\/a> It \u201cprevents\u00a0us from\u00a0cherishing\u00a0each thing and each moment.<\/span>\u201d\u00a0(Pope Francis, 222)<\/a><\/p>\nUltimately, Consumerism leads us to see our \u201clives as a series of sensations to be experienced rather than as a work to be accomplished.\u201d (Pope St. John Paul II, 39)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nIndeed, “A constant flood of new consumer goods can baffle the heart”. (Pope Francis, 222)<\/a> It leads to a situation where “Human beings are themselves considered consumer goods to be used and then discarded.”<\/span>\u00a0(Pope Francis, 53)<\/a><\/p>\nIndeed, \u201cfreedom is under threat<\/b>. How?…by a consumerism that anesthetizes… when the only thing that counts is thinking about oneself and doing what one likes, the roots suffocate.\u201d (Pope Francis)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nAnd, all of this “jeopardizes”<\/span>\u00a0our \u201ccollective fulfillment\u201d.\u00a0(Pope St. Paul VI, 18)<\/a><\/p>\nConsumerism and the Environment<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
“It is possible that we do not grasp the gravity of the challenges<\/strong> now before us.” (Pope Francis, 105)<\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\nWhile Pope Francis identifies consumerism\u2019s “dynamic of dominion”\u00a0(Laudato Si, 222)<\/a> as a key cause of the degradation of our environment, already in 1971 Pope St. Paul VI pointed out that man is “becoming aware that by an ill-considered exploitation of nature he risks destroying it and becoming in his turn the victim of this degradation.” (Octogesima Adveniens, 21)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nHave Faith! Ending Consumerism will Help the Environment<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
Faith can and does play a key role in solving any ecological crisis.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\u201cIn all this, [consumerism and ecological degradation] one notes first the poverty or narrowness of man\u2019s outlook, motivated as he is by a desire to possess things rather than to relate them to the truth\u201d.\u00a0(Pope St. John Paul II, 37)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n“We require a new and universal solidarity” <\/span>(Pope Francis, 14)<\/a> “born of wonder in the presence of being and of the beauty which enables one to see in visible things the message of the invisible God who created them.”<\/span> (Pope St. John Paul II, 37)<\/a><\/p>\nConsumerism in America may seem unstoppable – but it isn\u2019t!<\/span><\/p>\n\u201cOnce Jesus dwells in our heart, the center of life is no longer my ravenous and selfish ego<\/strong>, but the One who is born and lives for love.\u201d\u00a0(Pope Francis)<\/a> <\/span><\/p>\nIn fact, \u201cSuch\u00a0sobriety, when lived freely and consciously,\u00a0is liberating.\u201d\u00a0(Pope Francis, 223)<\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nHow Can I Stop Consumerism?<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n
First, we need to be clear, “It is not wrong to want to live better<\/strong>“.\u00a0(Pope St. John Paul II, 36)<\/a> But, “Happiness means knowing how to limit some needs which only diminish us”.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\nWhen we become obsessed with possessing and enjoying \u2013 we cannot be free.<\/span><\/p>\nThe ecological crisis\u00a0\u201ccalls for\u00a0a lifestyle marked by sobriety and solidarity\u201d.<\/span>\u00a0(Pope Benedict XVI, 5)<\/a> \u201cToo many of us act like tyrants with regard to creation. Let us make an effort to change and to adopt more simple and respectful lifestyles!” (Pope Francis)<\/a><\/p>\nWe must ask, \u201cCan I manage [to] live a life of greater simplicity?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0(Pope Francis)<\/a><\/p>\nBottom line: man must \u201csubordinate<\/strong>[s] his material and instinctive dimensions<\/strong> to<\/strong> his interior and spiritual ones<\/strong>.\u201d (Pope St. John Paul II, 36)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nHow Can We Stop Consumerism?<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n
Society is called to \u201ca serious review of its lifestyle<\/strong>, which in many parts of the world is prone to hedonism and consumerism, regardless of their harmful consequences\u201d. (Pope Benedict XVI, 51)<\/a> <\/span><\/span><\/p>\nThe earth \u201ccries out to us because of the harm we have inflicted on her by our irresponsible use and abuse of the goods with which God has endowed her\u201d.<\/span> (Laudato Si, 2)<\/a><\/em><\/p>\nThe Church calls us to nothing less than “a bold cultural revolution<\/strong>“. (Pope Francis, 114)<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\nConsumerism: Rampant and Dangerous<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nThe Dangers of a Consumer Culture<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nHoliday Commercialization<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nCatholic Social Teaching and Care for Nature<\/a> <\/span><\/span><\/p>\nThe Church and Conservation<\/a> <\/span><\/span><\/p>\nThe Importance of Our Physical Environment<\/a> <\/span><\/span><\/p>\nOur Human Environment is Endangered<\/a> <\/span><\/span><\/p>\nThe Top Environment Quotes from the Church<\/a> <\/span><\/span><\/p>\nTop Nature Quotes from the Church<\/a> <\/span><\/span><\/p>\nPope Francis on the Environment<\/a> <\/span><\/span><\/p>\nTop Laudato Si Quotes on Environment<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nWhat is Ecology?<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nWomen Nurturing Sustainable Development<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_button button_url=”\/consumerism\/” button_text=”More About Consumerism” button_alignment=”center” module_class=”hover-btn-border” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ custom_button=”on” button_text_size=”30px” button_text_color=”#054368″ button_border_width=”0px” button_border_radius=”0px” button_font=”|600||on|||||” button_icon=”5||divi||400″ button_on_hover=”off” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” button_text_color__hover_enabled=”on” button_text_color__hover=”#054368″][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_button button_url=”\/articles\/” button_text=”Back to Articles” button_alignment=”center” module_class=”hover-btn-border” _builder_version=”4.19.0″ custom_button=”on” button_text_size=”30px” button_text_color=”#054368″ 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max_width_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_margin=”0px|0px|0px|0px” custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px” custom_css_main_element=”width: 100% !important;” make_fullwidth=”on” global_module=”31023″ saved_tabs=”all” collapsed=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_slider show_image_video_mobile=”on” module_class=”three-principles” _builder_version=”4.19.5″ header_font=”Open Sans|700|||||||” header_text_color=”#084369″ header_font_size=”24px” header_line_height=”1.5em” body_text_color=”#084369″ width=”100%” width_last_edited=”off|desktop” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”|||” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_css_slide_image_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_css_slide_image_phone=”width: auto;||margin: 0 auto !important;”][et_pb_slide heading=”Three Key Principles” button_link=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/catholic-social-teaching-principles\/” image=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Three-Principles.png” use_bg_overlay=”off” use_text_overlay=”off” image_alt=”Three circles containing symbols of the three principles of catholic social teaching: human dignity, subsidiarity, and solidarity.” image_tablet=”” image_phone=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/3-Key-principle-icons-resized.png” image_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.19.5″ header_font=”||||||||” background_color=”#ffffff” button_on_hover=”on” z_index=”0″ overflow-x=”hidden” overflow-y=”hidden” link_option_url=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/catholic-social-teaching-principles\/” custom_css_slide_image=”width: 300px !important;||margin: 0 auto !important;” 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Catholic social teaching is built on three foundational principles –\u00a0<\/strong>Human Dignity<\/strong>,\u00a0Solidarity\u00a0<\/strong>and\u00a0Subsidiarity.\u00a0<\/strong>Human Dignity, embodied in a correct understanding of the human person, is the greatest. The others flow from it. Good governments and good economic systems find ways of fostering the three principles.<\/p>\n[\/et_pb_slide][et_pb_slide heading=”Human Dignity” button_link=”\/human-dignity\/” image=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Human-Dignity.png” use_bg_overlay=”off” use_text_overlay=”off” _builder_version=”4.19.0″ header_font=”||||||||” background_color=”#ffffff” button_on_hover=”on” link_option_url=”\/human-dignity\/” custom_css_slide_image=”width: 200px !important;||margin: 0 auto !important;” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_transition=”on”]<\/p>\n
This means a correct understanding of the human person and of each person\u2019s unique value. All Catholic social teaching flows from this: the inherent dignity of every person that comes from being made in God\u2019s image.\u00a0<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_slide][et_pb_slide heading=”Solidarity” button_link=”\/solidarity\/” image=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Solidarity.png” use_bg_overlay=”off” use_text_overlay=”off” _builder_version=”4.19.0″ header_font=”||||||||” background_color=”#ffffff” button_on_hover=”on” link_option_url=”\/solidarity\/” custom_css_slide_image=”width: 200px !important;||margin: 0 auto !important;” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_transition=”on”]<\/p>\n
Solidarity is not \u201ca feeling of vague compassion or shallow distress at the misfortunes of others. It is a firm and persevering determination to commit oneself to the common good\u201d. (Pope St. John Paul II, 38)<\/a> Love of God and love of neighbor are, in fact, linked and form one, single commandment.<\/p>\n[\/et_pb_slide][et_pb_slide heading=”Subsidiarity” button_link=”\/subsidiarity\/” image=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Subsidiarity.png” use_bg_overlay=”off” use_text_overlay=”off” _builder_version=”4.19.0″ header_font=”||||||||” background_color=”#ffffff” button_on_hover=”on” link_option_url=”\/subsidiarity\/” custom_css_slide_image=”width: 200px !important;||margin: 0 auto !important;” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_transition=”on”]<\/p>\n
Subsidiarity \u201cis a fundamental principle of social philosophy, fixed and unchangeable, that one should not withdraw from individuals and commit to the community what they can accomplish by their own enterprise and industry. So, too, it is an injustice and at the same time a grave evil and a disturbance of right order to transfer to the larger and higher collectivity functions which can be performed and provided for by the lesser and subordinate bodies\u201d. (Pope Pius XI)<\/a><\/p>\n[\/et_pb_slide][\/et_pb_slider][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” admin_label=”Image & Text” module_id=”newsletter” module_class=”mosaic_width” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ background_color=”#eb7525″ z_index=”950″ display_conditions=”W3siaWQiOiI2MmUwMjk2ZS1lYmY5LTQwYWYtYmM0Mi0zZmEzYzUyNGNlYTEiLCJjb25kaXRpb24iOiJwYWdlIiwiY29uZGl0aW9uU2V0dGluZ3MiOnsiZGlzcGxheVJ1bGUiOiJpc05vdCIsImR5bmFtaWNQb3N0cyI6W3sibGFiZWwiOiJDYXJpdGFzIGluIFZlcml0YXRlIiwidmFsdWUiOiI0NzIxNCJ9XSwicG9zdFR5cGVMYWJlbCI6IlBhZ2VzIiwiYWRtaW5MYWJlbCI6IlBhZ2VzIiwiZW5hYmxlQ29uZGl0aW9uIjoib24ifSwib3BlcmF0b3IiOiJPUiJ9XQ==” custom_margin=”||” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”0px||0px||false|false” animation_direction=”left” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_module=”45073″ saved_tabs=”all” locked=”off” collapsed=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ make_equal=”on” module_class=”mosaic_width” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ custom_margin=”||” custom_padding=”0px||0px||true|false” animation_style=”fade” animation_delay=”200ms” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ module_class=”ds-vertical-align” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”Playfair Display||||||||” text_text_color=”#ffffff” header_font=”||||||||” header_text_align=”center” header_text_color=”#eb7525″ header_2_text_color=”#ffffff” header_3_text_color=”#ffffff” header_3_font_size=”30px” header_4_font=”Playfair Display|700|||||||” header_4_text_color=”#ffffff” header_4_font_size=”32px” text_orientation=”center” custom_margin=”||” custom_padding=”||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n
For decades, the Church has pointed out the link between consumerism and harm to the environment. What is the environmental impact of consumerism? <\/span><\/p>\n Consumerism and the environment are linked because excessive consumption exploits nature and ruins humanity<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Does consumerism really affect<\/strong> the environment?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Yes!<\/strong> The negative effects of consumerism are rampant and lead to “soul stifling materialism<\/strong>” (Pope St. Paul VI, 19)<\/a> which, in turn, has produced an ecological crisis. (Pope St. John Paul II, 15)<\/a><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n We need to be clear: Consumerism in a sentence is “a style of life directed at ‘having’ rather than ‘being<\/strong>‘”… A person who is concerned solely or primarily with possessing and enjoying \u2013 who can no longer subordinate his instincts – cannot be free<\/strong>.” (Pope St. John Paul II, 36)<\/a> <\/span><\/p>\n Those splurges add up!<\/span><\/p>\n The physical ecological impact is obvious: raw materials, production costs, energy, packaging, transportation (air and vehicular), etc.<\/span><\/p>\n The human ecological impact is less obvious. What begins as one impulse buy easily multiplies and becomes “a style of life\u2026which wants to have more, not in order to be more but in order to spend life in enjoyment as an end in itself<\/strong>.” (Pope St. John Paul II, 36)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n All this contributes to an ever-increasing consumerism.<\/span><\/p>\n Becoming focused more on “having”, rather than “being” it leads to the \u201cexcessive promotion of purely utilitarian\u00a0values\u201d.\u00a0(Pope St. John Paul II, 29)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Such excessive mass consumption “weakens\u00a0the\u00a0development\u00a0and stability of personal relationships”.<\/span>\u00a0(Pope Francis, 67)<\/a> It \u201cprevents\u00a0us from\u00a0cherishing\u00a0each thing and each moment.<\/span>\u201d\u00a0(Pope Francis, 222)<\/a><\/p>\n Ultimately, Consumerism leads us to see our \u201clives as a series of sensations to be experienced rather than as a work to be accomplished.\u201d (Pope St. John Paul II, 39)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Indeed, “A constant flood of new consumer goods can baffle the heart”. (Pope Francis, 222)<\/a> It leads to a situation where “Human beings are themselves considered consumer goods to be used and then discarded.”<\/span>\u00a0(Pope Francis, 53)<\/a><\/p>\n Indeed, \u201cfreedom is under threat<\/b>. How?…by a consumerism that anesthetizes… when the only thing that counts is thinking about oneself and doing what one likes, the roots suffocate.\u201d (Pope Francis)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n And, all of this “jeopardizes”<\/span>\u00a0our \u201ccollective fulfillment\u201d.\u00a0(Pope St. Paul VI, 18)<\/a><\/p>\n While Pope Francis identifies consumerism\u2019s “dynamic of dominion”\u00a0(Laudato Si, 222)<\/a> as a key cause of the degradation of our environment, already in 1971 Pope St. Paul VI pointed out that man is “becoming aware that by an ill-considered exploitation of nature he risks destroying it and becoming in his turn the victim of this degradation.” (Octogesima Adveniens, 21)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n \u201cIn all this, [consumerism and ecological degradation] one notes first the poverty or narrowness of man\u2019s outlook, motivated as he is by a desire to possess things rather than to relate them to the truth\u201d.\u00a0(Pope St. John Paul II, 37)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n “We require a new and universal solidarity” <\/span>(Pope Francis, 14)<\/a> “born of wonder in the presence of being and of the beauty which enables one to see in visible things the message of the invisible God who created them.”<\/span> (Pope St. John Paul II, 37)<\/a><\/p>\n Consumerism in America may seem unstoppable – but it isn\u2019t!<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cOnce Jesus dwells in our heart, the center of life is no longer my ravenous and selfish ego<\/strong>, but the One who is born and lives for love.\u201d\u00a0(Pope Francis)<\/a> <\/span><\/p>\n In fact, \u201cSuch\u00a0sobriety, when lived freely and consciously,\u00a0is liberating.\u201d\u00a0(Pope Francis, 223)<\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n When we become obsessed with possessing and enjoying \u2013 we cannot be free.<\/span><\/p>\n The ecological crisis\u00a0\u201ccalls for\u00a0a lifestyle marked by sobriety and solidarity\u201d.<\/span>\u00a0(Pope Benedict XVI, 5)<\/a> \u201cToo many of us act like tyrants with regard to creation. Let us make an effort to change and to adopt more simple and respectful lifestyles!” (Pope Francis)<\/a><\/p>\n We must ask, \u201cCan I manage [to] live a life of greater simplicity?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0(Pope Francis)<\/a><\/p>\n Bottom line: man must \u201csubordinate<\/strong>[s] his material and instinctive dimensions<\/strong> to<\/strong> his interior and spiritual ones<\/strong>.\u201d (Pope St. John Paul II, 36)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n The earth \u201ccries out to us because of the harm we have inflicted on her by our irresponsible use and abuse of the goods with which God has endowed her\u201d.<\/span> (Laudato Si, 2)<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n The Church calls us to nothing less than “a bold cultural revolution<\/strong>“. (Pope Francis, 114)<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Consumerism: Rampant and Dangerous<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n The Dangers of a Consumer Culture<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Holiday Commercialization<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Catholic Social Teaching and Care for Nature<\/a> <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n The Church and Conservation<\/a> <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n The Importance of Our Physical Environment<\/a> <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Our Human Environment is Endangered<\/a> <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n The Top Environment Quotes from the Church<\/a> <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Top Nature Quotes from the Church<\/a> <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Pope Francis on the Environment<\/a> <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Top Laudato Si Quotes on Environment<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n What is Ecology?<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Women Nurturing Sustainable Development<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_button button_url=”\/consumerism\/” button_text=”More About Consumerism” button_alignment=”center” module_class=”hover-btn-border” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ custom_button=”on” button_text_size=”30px” button_text_color=”#054368″ button_border_width=”0px” button_border_radius=”0px” button_font=”|600||on|||||” button_icon=”5||divi||400″ button_on_hover=”off” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” button_text_color__hover_enabled=”on” button_text_color__hover=”#054368″][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_button button_url=”\/articles\/” button_text=”Back to Articles” button_alignment=”center” module_class=”hover-btn-border” _builder_version=”4.19.0″ custom_button=”on” button_text_size=”30px” button_text_color=”#054368″ button_border_width=”0px” button_border_radius=”0px” button_font=”|600||on|||||” button_icon=”5||divi||400″ button_on_hover=”off” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” button_text_color__hover_enabled=”on” button_text_color__hover=”#054368″][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Widget of Issues ” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_margin=”0px|0px|0px|0px||” custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” saved_tabs=”all” locked=”off” collapsed=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_5,3_5,1_5″ use_custom_gutter=”on” module_class=” et_pb_row_fullwidth” _builder_version=”4.13.0″ width=”100%” width_tablet=”100%” width_phone=”” width_last_edited=”on|desktop” max_width=”100%” max_width_tablet=”100%” max_width_phone=”” max_width_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_margin=”0px|0px|0px|0px” custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px” custom_css_main_element=”width: 100% !important;” make_fullwidth=”on” global_module=”31023″ saved_tabs=”all” collapsed=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_slider show_image_video_mobile=”on” module_class=”three-principles” _builder_version=”4.19.5″ header_font=”Open Sans|700|||||||” header_text_color=”#084369″ header_font_size=”24px” header_line_height=”1.5em” body_text_color=”#084369″ width=”100%” width_last_edited=”off|desktop” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”|||” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_css_slide_image_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_css_slide_image_phone=”width: auto;||margin: 0 auto !important;”][et_pb_slide heading=”Three Key Principles” button_link=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/catholic-social-teaching-principles\/” image=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Three-Principles.png” use_bg_overlay=”off” use_text_overlay=”off” image_alt=”Three circles containing symbols of the three principles of catholic social teaching: human dignity, subsidiarity, and solidarity.” image_tablet=”” image_phone=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/3-Key-principle-icons-resized.png” image_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.19.5″ header_font=”||||||||” background_color=”#ffffff” button_on_hover=”on” z_index=”0″ overflow-x=”hidden” overflow-y=”hidden” link_option_url=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/catholic-social-teaching-principles\/” custom_css_slide_image=”width: 300px !important;||margin: 0 auto !important;” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_transition=”on”]<\/p>\n Catholic social teaching is built on three foundational principles –\u00a0<\/strong>Human Dignity<\/strong>,\u00a0Solidarity\u00a0<\/strong>and\u00a0Subsidiarity.\u00a0<\/strong>Human Dignity, embodied in a correct understanding of the human person, is the greatest. The others flow from it. Good governments and good economic systems find ways of fostering the three principles.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_slide][et_pb_slide heading=”Human Dignity” button_link=”\/human-dignity\/” image=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Human-Dignity.png” use_bg_overlay=”off” use_text_overlay=”off” _builder_version=”4.19.0″ header_font=”||||||||” background_color=”#ffffff” button_on_hover=”on” link_option_url=”\/human-dignity\/” custom_css_slide_image=”width: 200px !important;||margin: 0 auto !important;” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_transition=”on”]<\/p>\n This means a correct understanding of the human person and of each person\u2019s unique value. All Catholic social teaching flows from this: the inherent dignity of every person that comes from being made in God\u2019s image.\u00a0<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_slide][et_pb_slide heading=”Solidarity” button_link=”\/solidarity\/” image=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Solidarity.png” use_bg_overlay=”off” use_text_overlay=”off” _builder_version=”4.19.0″ header_font=”||||||||” background_color=”#ffffff” button_on_hover=”on” link_option_url=”\/solidarity\/” custom_css_slide_image=”width: 200px !important;||margin: 0 auto !important;” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_transition=”on”]<\/p>\n Solidarity is not \u201ca feeling of vague compassion or shallow distress at the misfortunes of others. It is a firm and persevering determination to commit oneself to the common good\u201d. (Pope St. John Paul II, 38)<\/a> Love of God and love of neighbor are, in fact, linked and form one, single commandment.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_slide][et_pb_slide heading=”Subsidiarity” button_link=”\/subsidiarity\/” image=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Subsidiarity.png” use_bg_overlay=”off” use_text_overlay=”off” _builder_version=”4.19.0″ header_font=”||||||||” background_color=”#ffffff” button_on_hover=”on” link_option_url=”\/subsidiarity\/” custom_css_slide_image=”width: 200px !important;||margin: 0 auto !important;” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_transition=”on”]<\/p>\n Subsidiarity \u201cis a fundamental principle of social philosophy, fixed and unchangeable, that one should not withdraw from individuals and commit to the community what they can accomplish by their own enterprise and industry. So, too, it is an injustice and at the same time a grave evil and a disturbance of right order to transfer to the larger and higher collectivity functions which can be performed and provided for by the lesser and subordinate bodies\u201d. (Pope Pius XI)<\/a><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_slide][\/et_pb_slider][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” admin_label=”Image & Text” module_id=”newsletter” module_class=”mosaic_width” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ background_color=”#eb7525″ z_index=”950″ display_conditions=”W3siaWQiOiI2MmUwMjk2ZS1lYmY5LTQwYWYtYmM0Mi0zZmEzYzUyNGNlYTEiLCJjb25kaXRpb24iOiJwYWdlIiwiY29uZGl0aW9uU2V0dGluZ3MiOnsiZGlzcGxheVJ1bGUiOiJpc05vdCIsImR5bmFtaWNQb3N0cyI6W3sibGFiZWwiOiJDYXJpdGFzIGluIFZlcml0YXRlIiwidmFsdWUiOiI0NzIxNCJ9XSwicG9zdFR5cGVMYWJlbCI6IlBhZ2VzIiwiYWRtaW5MYWJlbCI6IlBhZ2VzIiwiZW5hYmxlQ29uZGl0aW9uIjoib24ifSwib3BlcmF0b3IiOiJPUiJ9XQ==” custom_margin=”||” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”0px||0px||false|false” animation_direction=”left” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_module=”45073″ saved_tabs=”all” locked=”off” collapsed=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ make_equal=”on” module_class=”mosaic_width” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ custom_margin=”||” custom_padding=”0px||0px||true|false” animation_style=”fade” animation_delay=”200ms” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ module_class=”ds-vertical-align” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”Playfair Display||||||||” text_text_color=”#ffffff” header_font=”||||||||” header_text_align=”center” header_text_color=”#eb7525″ header_2_text_color=”#ffffff” header_3_text_color=”#ffffff” header_3_font_size=”30px” header_4_font=”Playfair Display|700|||||||” header_4_text_color=”#ffffff” header_4_font_size=”32px” text_orientation=”center” custom_margin=”||” custom_padding=”||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ module_class=”ds-vertical-align” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_code _builder_version=”4.21.0″ custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\nWhat is Consumerism?<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n
Many of us might think consumerism is simply an impulsive shopping spree or an occasional splurge. How does that harm the environment?<\/span><\/span><\/p>\nMass Consumerism<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n
Consumerism examples in the U.S. are not difficult to find. It’s rampant. Caused by an endless supply of consumer goods; the constant, algorithmically targeted barrage to buy<\/em>, and the expediency of on-line purchasing with its instant delivery.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\nEffects of Consumerism<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n
The effects<\/strong> of Consumerism are<\/strong> both personal and societal<\/strong>.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\nConsumerism and the Environment<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
“It is possible that we do not grasp the gravity of the challenges<\/strong> now before us.” (Pope Francis, 105)<\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\nHave Faith! Ending Consumerism will Help the Environment<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
Faith can and does play a key role in solving any ecological crisis.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\nHow Can I Stop Consumerism?<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n
First, we need to be clear, “It is not wrong to want to live better<\/strong>“.\u00a0(Pope St. John Paul II, 36)<\/a> But, “Happiness means knowing how to limit some needs which only diminish us”.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\nHow Can We Stop Consumerism?<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n
Society is called to \u201ca serious review of its lifestyle<\/strong>, which in many parts of the world is prone to hedonism and consumerism, regardless of their harmful consequences\u201d. (Pope Benedict XVI, 51)<\/a> <\/span><\/span><\/p>\nSign Up For Our Newsletter:<\/h4>\n