A Brief Guide
Developing a more sustainable lifestyle does not have to mean buiding a log cabin and eating only what you can grow yourself. There are plenty of much smaller ways in which we can all change our habits without making drastic changes to our lifestyle. Together these can make a big difference to the impact our consumption has on our environment.
Whether we like it or not, we are all part of a consumer society. One of the most powerful weapons we have is how we choose to spend our money. An increasing number of people are resisting attempts to manipulate their purchasing decisions and shop according to their values instead. The Ethical Consumerism Report (Co-op bank, 2005) reports that UK consumers spent a total of £25.8 billion in line with their values in 2004, an increase of 15 per cent on the previous year.
Here is our brief guide to ethical consumption, with some simple ways in which you can minimise the environmental impact of your decisions and shop more sustainably.
The easy availability of credit proves too tempting for a society that has become accustomed to instant gratifcation. In 2005 12 per cent of all problems dealt with by the Jersey Citizens Advice Bureau were problems with debt. The bureau dealt with 300 new cases and the average amount owed was £25,000 (Jersey Consumer Council, 2006).
Buying from local shops is a good way of ensuring that your money stays in the local economy rather than going straight into the coffers of some faceless corporate giant. Supporting small, local producers rather than buying from supermarkets limits the environmental impact of your purchases by minimising the number of 'food miles' travelled from the farm to your plate.
There are several farm shops in Jersey to choose from, and regular farmer's markets are held throughout the year in the Royal Square. Buying direct from local farmers will get you better quality food at a competitive price.
Not only does this help to reduce the environmental costs of your purchases, but food always tastes better when it's in season.
An increasing number of retailers now stock Fairtrade products. In Jersey, the Co-op and Oxfam are particular champions. Over 700 products carry this mark, which acts as a guarantee that the small farmers and plantation workers receive a fair price for their produce or labour. It also ensures that some of the money is invested in local sustainable development projects. Certified producers are re-inspected every year and standards are rigorously enforced.
The UK Food Standards Agency has always been sceptical about the perceived nutritional benefits of organic food. There there can be no doubt however that it is more sustainable and therefore better for the environment. Fewer chemicals are used in its production so organic products naturally contain fewer pesticide residues. Buying organic produce from the UK or Jersey supports the local economy as growers are often small or medium sized businesses. Growing organically also uses less energy than conventional intensive farming methods and produces less waste.