5 Minutes of God Time Song: O Come, Emmanuel by the Piano Guys
So. The homework recap: Your job was to write down everything you own. Some of you did it, some of you sort of did it, and some of you thought about it. I still think it's really important for you to do this, and to do it fully. I know it's tough- that's kind of the point! So do it. Even if it takes you a month of two minute increments. Even if you don't ever tell me that you've done it. Even if it makes you uncomfortable to write that much, and it doesn't seem important to list out how many DVDs you own. When the day comes that Jesus asks us to give account of how we've lived our lives and how we've used our resources, do you think that the God who knows how many hairs are on our head won't care about those kinds of details?
As (or before) we're looking at all those details, though, we need to know what our bigger categories of consumption are. We listed out the categories that were included in your crossword puzzle, and brainstormed what might be included in them (and then discussed the consumption embodied in each of those choices of sub-areas).
- Transportation: planes, trains, and automobiles, bikes, skateboards, swimming, boating, walking, skipping, etc. The least consumption-intensive options are walking, swimming, skipping, etc. You're already eating food to keep yourself alive, it doesn't take much more to get you moving. Then come the options that are still human-powered, but require equipment- biking, skateboarding, etc. There's energy embodied in the manufacturing of the bike, but it doesn't require extra outside energy to make it move. The MOST energy-intensive options are the planes, trains, automobiles (and boats that use gas). They have LOTS of energy that go into making them, and then they have the energy in the gas that's used to power them (and the energy that it takes to get the oil out of the ground and refined into gas). Of course, buying new instead of used also has an impact, and continually buying and requiring new options (getting a new car every 6 months vs. every 12 years) also ups your consumption equation.
- Personal Care: deodorant, soap, shampoo/conditioner, toilet paper, lotion, makeup, hair goo, toothpaste, honey, bandages, etc. The things you use to make you not smelly and looking nice (or to keep yourself hygienic and healthy). The natural products like honey are the lightest on the consumption scale (and honey can be used to treat acne, retain skin moisture, and as a burn/wound ointment- among other things), and you can figure that things you make yourself require less consumption (particularly if you use local products and reused/reusable containers). There are all sorts of options and recipes out there if you want to try making your own- and as an added bonus, it'll help you cut down on your plastic consumption (which we're going to look at on the 23rd). And while you're at it, take a look at your current products- how many of the ingredients on there are things you can pronounce (or know what they are)? If you can't pronounce it (or have NO idea what it does), it's probably not particularly good for you. And for extra credit, you might want to check out how those ingredients rate on the Skin Deep Database- it can give you extra information on individual ingredients, as well as an overall rating on products. And guys, don't be fooled- even though cosmetics is in the sub-title, it's way more than just makeup.
- Drinks: Coffee, soda, tea, milk, water, eggnog, alcohol, etc. Water requires the least energy, and is the best thing on there for you- but don't buy it in a plastic bottle unless you're in a country/region that requires it for health reasons (like bacteria or chemical runoff)! Bottled water has FEWER restrictions on it than tap water- and it's waaaay more expensive, even considering a city water bill. Coffee requires more energy to produce than tea, and milk, even though it can be good for you, also takes a good amount of energy (and I might be biased, but it takes less energy to get a gallon of goat's milk than cow milk- goats, those scrappy little creatures, require very little energy for both meat and milk!). Alcohol is very energy and water intensive, though if you make it yourself it lessens the transportation/packaging impact (wine/beer, that is- don't decide at 21 that you're going to set up a still because your youth director told you it'd be better for the environment!).
- Waste: The stuff that you don't need- plastic wrap on cheese, plastic bags to get your food home from the grocery store, the little plastic tags on that shirt, soda bottles, etc. Waste has a very, very short useful life, and then is discarded. Some of it can be recycled or decomposed (like the cardboard box crackers come in), but some of it will stick around forever in a landfill or elsewhere (like the plastic bag holding the crackers inside of the cardboard box). We use it because it's convenient, but it's not necessary- and with a little planning, you can get around almost all of it!
- Clothing: We need clothes- legally, for our health and well-being, and to shield our innocent eyes from things we don't ever, ever want to see. So shirts, pants, skirts, accessories, shoes, underwear, socks, pajamas, slippers, etc.- all of those things have a purpose (or at least some kind of a purpose). But where do your clothing choices fall in the consumption spectrum? Not that long ago, men and women both had a lot less hanging in their closet- and that was OK. It's only been the last century or so that we non-royals had lots of options to choose from. And choose we do! We've gone beyond "need" to "self-expression," "fun," "creativity" (and not the make-your-dress-from-curtains kind!), "luxurious," "name-dropping," and "disposable fashion." I could go into an entire post on the differences in energy embedded into different kinds of fabrics, manufacturing methods, and the impact of fashion trends on human consumption, but I'll leave it up to you to email or talk to me in person if you're interested in that! As for this post, we'll just sum it up by saying that this is one area of consumption where our needs are well beyond being met.
- Gifts: In our culture, we often show our love and affection through gift-giving- a way to tell someone that we're thinking of them and value them enough to part with some of the thing we value most (aka "money") for their benefit. But it's not always something joyful and loving. In fact, it sometimes becomes an unnecessary obligation- "What on earth am I going to get this person who has everything?". I'm not going to give lots of information on this, since it's covered in many other areas, but keep in mind how much and what kinds of things you give to others. Gifts are NOT a bad thing. But could you show your love and admiration just as well with something homemade or with the gift of time?
- Food: Nutella, meat, carbohydrates, packaged vs. homemade, fast food vs. packing a lunch, local vs. exotic. We all have to eat, and some of us put a lot of enjoyment into that need. But where do our food choices stand? In terms of consumption, local and organic is always best, and depending on how you purchase it and prepare it, it's often cheaper than pre-packaged foods. It also has the least amount of energy that goes into it. Eating conventionally (going to the grocery store to pick up non-organic and/or pre-packaged foods, like soups, broccoli, cookies, breads, etc.), each of us "consumes" about 400 gallons of oil a year in our food choices- industrial agriculture takes up about 17% of our nation's oil use (a close second only to vehicular use). That's 400 gallons per citizen- so my gardening is offsetting someone else's food choices already. And that doesn't count the energy we use to get to the grocery store, cook the foods, or keep them cool. Also, within the conventional food model, meat and dairy are pretty energy intensive, as are sweets (bummer). I could give you an entire reading list of ways to reduce your energy and waste consumption with regard to food, and will do so upon request. The good news? This is an area where reducing consumption also comes with some very tasty alternatives. Your final "food for thought" (pun intended): The Mennonite faith has a "more with less" mentality when it comes to food, making very intentional choices with their recipes and daily meals in order to free up more resources to help their fellow humans who are happy with ANY sort of food. They view their meals as another way to serve. Just something for you to chew on the next time you find yourself in line at McDonald's or the coffee shop- maybe you can start by forgoing the shake or the fries and donating that money instead. Look at that- you're part Mennonite!
- Decor: Holiday decorations, furniture, lamps (lava lamps included), bedding, candles, curtains, etc. Decor, as I put it in your sugar-filled clues, is your personality on a shelf- or at least it can feel that way. It's the way people try to make their homes welcome them, or fit into a certain design category. Traditional, eclectic, modern, Mediterranean, or Pottery Barn chic- we each have something that appeals to our aesthetic sensibilities. There is no right or wrong aesthetic. But the same as with transportation (or any other durable item- e.g.: not food), buying new has more energy embedded into it than buying used. And buying and using more requires more energy than buying and using less, not least because more decor also tends to mean more house- which means more energy to build, heat, cool, and maintain.
- Technology: cell phones, DVD players, TVs, ipods, laptops, GPS, robotic-assisted surgery, microwaves, fridges, washer/dryer, dishwasher, even your stove! We have an ever-evolving tech category, and I'll be the first to admit that technology has made many things in life easier and safer. The fact that we have laptops and the internet allows me to send you emails to remind you about things (and it allows me to give you this information via a blog), and phones allow you to call me when you have questions about things. The question to ask yourself is whether technology is being used to better serve humanity, or whether technology is being used to better line the pockets of the wealthy (and yes, it can be both- but it isn't always). Is getting a new smart phone going to allow you to better serve your world? Or is it just so you can show how "cool" or wealthy you are? (Be honest- is there another, less-energy intensive way to do that same serving?). Multi-function technology is often a better choice, but only if you don't already have something that fills that need (don't go buy something just because it fills two roles if you already have two things that fill those two roles). And whatever you use/buy, make sure you look at the whole production and use cycle. How is it made? Who makes it and where? Are there any social injustices involved (chances are: yes!)? And what happens to it when it breaks, is out of date, or no longer needed? Where does it go and what environmental/social consequences are there? While technology is helping you, it might be hurting someone else. For war or peace, for fun or distraction, technology can hurt even more than it helps. Even way back before we had all the fun toys we have now, Albert Einstein himself once said, "It has become appallingly clear that our technology has surpassed our humanity."
- Pets: Chickens (I love you guys for shouting that out!), dogs, cats, leashes, bowls, food, toys, vet bills, doggy daycare, pet beds, etc.. Pets give us love and companionship (and sometimes eggs), but they do represent a significant amount of consumption. Americans spend somewhere between $45-55 BILLION each year on their pets (and I'm pretty sure my farm animal pets don't count in that number), and if trends hold true, that number is set to rise about $2 billion more each year in the future. That's a LOT of money. I'm never going to tell you to get rid of pets, but I will ask you to be conscious of how much you spend on them and whether there are other ways to use that money. Does your dog really need the sparkly pink collar or will the basic leather/nylon collar suffice? The santa costume, the Packer jersey, and the hair bows? Do you need the genetics that a $500 dog from a breeder gets you, or can you get equal love and companionship from a dog adopted from a shelter, without the pedigree? You're the only one who can answer that, but I hope you at least consider it. $55 Billion a year is a lot of money.
- Entertainment: Concerts, plays, books, sports, hobbies. Experiences (like concerts and plays) can be pretty energy un-intensive (or they can be VERY energy intensive- it all depends on the group) in and of themselves- your consumption level depends on YOU while you take in this entertainment. Do you buy souvenirs? Travel to get there? Eat and drink specific foods with extra waste while watching the show? And sports and hobbies can require special equipment that increase consumption levels. Golf requires clubs- do you buy or rent them? Track and field can require special shoes, uniforms, etc. And a pick-up game of soccer with friends might give you fewer scholarship opportunities, but it also gives you fewer purchasing requirements (no special uniforms or cleats, and you're less likely to have to travel far for games). A hobby of building model cars requires more energy input into materials than a hobbyist who spends his free time watching migratory birds. But as with all things, there are variations- a bird watcher who loves seeing the birds in the local state park/ marsh requires much less energy than one who flies to Alaska and/or Mexico to watch the migratory birds each year.
- Energy: The energy you use by turning on the lights, driving in your car, powering your laptop to read this post, heating the water for your shower or washing dishes, mowing the lawn, etc. There are so many areas that we use additional energy that I can't even begin to go over them. Just be aware that many of our actions in our modern society involve extra energy input. If you'd like to decrease your consumption in this area, it starts with awareness. Then choose one thing and try to reduce your energy in that area. Shorten your shower, unplug your laptop when you're not using it, turn off the lights when you leave the room (those are all probably things your parents are telling you to do anyways!).
- Stuff: This is the category of things you have but don't know why. McDonald's toys, free pens, squishy cows from the state fair dairy booth, broken or unnecessary parts you've yet to throw or give away, old papers, backpacks or bags that are no longer your style. The first step in reducing this area is to "refuse" to take in stuff that you don't need or want in the first place. Do you need the squishy cow? Or the easily broken plastic toy? Will they improve your life? "Refusing" to take things reduces the demand- and can reduce your (and society's) consumption level. And can you give your "stuff" that's in good shape yet to someone who could use it? Could someone else use that bag that's just taking up space in your closet?
- Media: TV, movies, blogs, websites, books, magazines, radio, CDs, mp3s. Some of these are physical consumption- you buy a DVD vs. renting one. Some of them are time consumption- spending time on Pinterest or reading blogs. And some of them discourage consumption, though most strongly and unceasingly encourage it. It's how they pay for themselves (and it's not just in the commercials, as we'll see next week). It's buy this new album, live this lifestyle, look at these people who have it all "together". Again, we're going to cover media in greater depth, but be aware that it both influences your consumption and can be something you consume at the same time.
We're going to continue on next week, but your homework from this lesson is to take that list you made (all the things you own) and mark it up with which things are Necessities and which are Luxuries. And then I want you to further look at your necessities and mark which ones are needs filled in a basic way vs. needs filled in a want/luxury way (for example: we need a winter coat in Wisconsin. But how many winter coats do you own? And are they basic wool coats from Goodwill (thus filling a need) or are they designer coats from Macy's (thus filling a want)?). Get your list. Get ready... On the count of "Go!"....
Aaaaand... Go!
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