I'm not the first person to say that consumerism is a large part of the problem.
We are part of a generation that has been groomed to believe that aspiring to wealth is an appropriate and socially beneficial expectation. After all, a healthy economy relies on people's effort to improve their material well-being. The more we spend the more money circulating in the economy to ensure jobs for others.
Trouble is, at the moment that money seems to be finding it's way into the pockets of the already wealthy, rather than going to create more jobs. While the developing world starves, in the "West" we have an epidemic of obesity. We've been sold a lie.
The younger we are the worse the damage. Young people today are groomed to make their own decisions as consumers younger every year. Body image issues abound, and many are confused. After all, the latest device will make us happy, won't it?
Money can't buy happiness, can it? But for some reason, as a community, we accept that every-one has the right to act freely, to buy and to be what they want. Even if the long-term effect on our world is dire.
Why hasn't the impact of rampant consumerism been brought into the public forum more strongly? You don't think the way business controls the media has any influence, do you?
We must learn to think for ourselves and act for ourselves. We've already waited too long. It's a bit scary - but I believe we can do it.
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