The Ripple Effect Of Consumerism

In our economy, every single action we put forth reverberates globally. We all live in an enclosed system of atmosphere, soil and water.  There is no true excess; there is no true lack. Everything that has ever existed continues to exist, even if in some twisted new format.

Because our system is sealed, we absolutely must start focusing on a sustainable solution to our industrial problems. The Global Education Project states, "It takes approximately 500 years to replace 25 millimeters (1 inch) of topsoil lost to erosion. The minimal soil depth for agricultural production is 150 millimeters. From this perspective, productive fertile soil is a nonrenewable, endangered ecosystem." One method of reducing soil erosion is to rely on crop rotation, mulching and composting, but many industrial farms choose to use the chemical methods which will often cause soil erosion as a byproduct of its application.

Another byproduct of industrial agriculture is runoff from chemical use. For example, small towns that neighbor industrial farms must endure the drift of pesticides, herbicides and fungicides. RoundUp is the most popular herbicide on the market today and primarily comprised of glyphosate.

Healthy Child says, "[glyphosate] may cause cancer.  It is considered a Possible Carcinogen by the World Health Organization, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, or another agency; If swallowed, can cause nausea, vomiting, dizziness, diarrhea, low blood pressure, convulsions, irregular heartbeat, or death. May cause liver or kidney damage, or reproductive effects, for example,  if ingested in drinking water over a lifetime at levels above those permitted by the U.S. EPA for drinking water"

Maybe people don't understand that there are a number of underground rivers that carry nutrients from the above soil to other areas in a natural waterway system. It is non-discriminatory: the underground rivers will also carry synthetic chemicals to new destinations, often times aquifers. That's our drinking water.

It wouldn't surprise me if people simply don't know. Four years ago a neighbor girl asked me what was "that thing" growing in my backyard. It was a pepper.

The seriousness of our genuine disconnect is absolutely alarming. For being a nation so smart about so many things, we really aren't very smart about the most important things.

Our actions spread in so many ways, from to the enslavement of migratory workers, both domestically and abroad to slash and burn old-growth deforestation in effort to raise cattle, soy or palm. These acts alone prove that we, as consumers, fail to connect cause and effect. We hear the news, shake our heads, talk about it over water at the office cooler, get frustrated and post about it on facebook.

But it only takes a few minutes watching traffic to realize most people either really don't understand their part or really don't care about it. Next time you have opportunity, count how many one-person cars are on the road. Then note how many of them are elbow-deep into a "value meal".

It won't take long to realize we're either a nation of hypocrites or ignoramuses.  Or maybe a little of both.

Photo credit:  David Maclennan