Action Briefing Dec 2005 - Jan 2006
	The Newsletter of Birmingham Friends of the Earth

Buy Nothing Day

Saturday 26th November 2005 was 'Buy Nothing Day' (BND), a day which exposes the environmental and ethical consequences of overconsumption. But what's the problem with shopping, anyway?

We are part of the 20 per cent of the world's population who are consuming 80 per cent of the Earth's resources. This causes environmental damage and also deprives many other people of what they need. The average person in the UK uses nearly three times what can be supplied by the planet, and consumption is increasing. Even if we managed to freeze things as they are, we'll need two extra planets straight away. If people around the world used resources at the same rate as the average US citizen, we'd need six planets to sustain ourselves!

The environment also suffers directly. The raw materials and production methods that are used to make so many of our goods have harmful side affects such as pollution, destruction of wild life, and wasted energy. The transport of goods internationally also contributes to our thirst for oil and dangerous climate change. It's not just the planet, it's people too. Large companies are increasingly using labour in developing countries to produce goods because of low pay and weaker regulations.

So what can we do? As consumers we need to question the products we buy and challenge the companies who produce them. What is the effect of your purchase on the environment? Are you supporting companies who exploit workers in developing countries?

We need more towards local self-reliance. This does not mean an end to all world trade, but it means more local production for local consumption. Small-scale, local businesses keep wealth in the local area, retaining local jobs and a stronger sense of community. An increase in local business, and in repair and reuse, will create more jobs and preserve more skills than a throw-away culture.

Buy Nothing Day isn't about changing our behaviour for just one day. We need to try understand the consequences of consumption on ourselves, the environment and other people. We need to consume less, think more before we buy, and challenge corporations to clean up and be fair to everyone: suppliers and consumers. BND is an excellent way to promote this. However, by the time you read this, it will have been and gone. So why not declare your own personal 'Buy Nothing Day', and tell your friends why.

For more information see the Buy Nothing Day website www.buynothingday.co.uk. Calculate your 'Ecological Footprint' at www.myfootprint.org.

Andy Pryke