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Consumerism
The market in today’s society promotes extreme consumerism and the current global situation is one of instability built on selfishness and the perceived need to own and consume.  This is not conducive to the common good.  Society needs a change in lifestyle.  We need to reject self-centeredness in order to be able to truly care for each other and the natural environment.

Christian spirituality encourages a prophetic and contemplative lifestyle that is free of the obsession with consumption but still capable of deep enjoyment.  Consumerism can distract from this lifestyle.  It is proposed that we be happy with little and live life in moderation.  We need to have inner peace, which is closely related to caring for ecology and the common good.

MINOR TIPS:

  • Recycle your clothes.  Shop and donate at a used clothing store.

  • Ask to borrow items you need instead of buying them if it is not something you use often.  This can include borrowing books from a library instead of buying them!

  • Try to purchase fewer items that you “want” and only items that you “need”.  Be a conscious consumer.

  • Avoid the mentality of replacing items that work fine just to have a newer model of this item.

  • Avoid engaging in commercials, advertisements, and flyers that are created to make you buy things you don’t really need.

 

Protect Employment

An integral ecology needs to take account of the value of human labor and a correct understanding of work. Civil authorities have the right and duty to adopt clear and firm measures in support of small producers and differentiated production. To ensure economic freedom from which all can effectively benefit, restraints occasionally have to be imposed on those possessing greater resources and financial power.

 

MINOR TIPS:

  • Small/Local producers can be supported by buying their products instead of products that are imported.

  • Buy in season fruit and vegetables as they are available in your region.

  • Vote for political parties that support labour unions.

  • Vote for/support governmental regulation in business.

Sustainable Technology

Mankind has based technological development and growth on the idea that they are to be provided with unlimited resources. This has led to a one dimensional view of technology and thus has led to humanity being shaped by technology rather than technology being shaped by the needs of man.

We need to “slow down and look at reality in a different way,” so that we can “appropriate the positive and sustainable progress which has been made” [1] and “recover the values and the great goals swept away by our unrestrained delusions of grandeur.” [1]


MINOR TIP: Buy products from companies that happen to buy into this model instead of from unsustainable companies.

Technology Advancements

Since the industrial revolution, mankind has made great technological advancements across the board. While good, these advancements have increased our power for growth and destruction at the same time. With great power comes great responsibility.

 

MINOR TIPS:

  • Support political parties that are against proliferation of nuclear weapons

  •  Support institutions that work towards reducing the number of nuclear weapons on earth

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