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People in industrial countries account for about 20% of world population, yet consume 86% of its aluminium, 81% of its paper, 80% of its iron and steel, and 76% of its timber. The average US citizen accounts for the use of 540 tons of construction materials, 18 tons of paper, 23 tons of wood, 16 tons of metals and 32 tons of organic chemicals in the course of his lifetime . Today, mining moves more soil and rock - an estimated 28 billion tons per year - than is carried to the seas by the world's rivers. Since 1950, nearly a fifth of the earth's forested area has been cleared, and industrial logging has more than doubled . Materials use has grown far faster than population: in the US, total consumption of virgin raw materials was 17 times greater in 1989 than it was in 1900, compared with a threefold increase in population.

Reduce Consumption is the cornerstone of reducing pollution.

Reducing Consumption is the most important step towards reducing waste! Reducing waste is the most important step you can take towards reducing pollution. Virtually all waste ends up as pollution. Waste removed from wastewater is usually deposited on land. Waste deposited on land can pollute groundwater and surface waters. Waste that is incinerated can pollute the air and is washed back to the ground and waterways as pollution. It takes energy to make "stuff" and energy production causes air pollution, acid rain, acid mine drainage, erosion and other environmental damage from strip mining, etc. See a pattern? Consuming less means more resources for everyone, less waste, and less pollution.

Here are a few ways you can Reduce Consumption

Do you really need everything that you buy? Reducing impulse purchase saves you money .

When it is necessary to buy something get the best, prettiest and most durable item you can find. That way you will enjoy it more and reuse it again and again.

Avoid buying disposable items that must be replaced over and over.

When possible walk or ride your bike to work. You will save oil, money, and improve your health and well being.

If it is to far to walk or bike, take public transportation. It is nice to have someonelse do the driving at times. And it is subsidised by the govenment so take advantage of it.

If you are moving try to locate close to work So your commute is shorter.

If you are looking for a job try to get one close to where you live to reduce your commute.

Repair household items instead of purchasing new ones.

Buy products with minimal packaging.

Drive less to reduce wear and tear on your car, and Gasoline consumption.

Turn off the light when you leave the room

Buy the most energy efficient appliances you can find. The energy and dollars saved will compound for years to come.

Set your thermostate higher in the summer and lower in the winter to save money and help your body adjust to the climate around you. It takes 30 days for your body to adjust to a change in temperature. If you keep your home temperature closer to the outside temperature you will be more comfortable when you venture outside.

If you are Buying a new car get the most efficient model that suits your needs. The energy and money saved will be with you for years and pass to the new owner when you sell your car.

Some of the following sites can help you learn to consume less without compromising (and possibly even improving) your quality of life:

• Simply Living - This internationally focused organization is based here in Columbus, Ohio
• Green Lifestyle - Central Ohio Buying Guide - A guide to green consumerism in Central Ohio.
• Mothers & Others - This national nonprofit, education organization promotes safe, ecologically sustainable consumer choices for this generation and the next. They also proved strategies that can reduce individual and community consumption of natural resources.
• "Affluenza" - The recently and widely acclaimed PBS special series examines over consumption in North America and its consequences for our environment, as well as various approaches to escape the over-consumption cycle through simpler living. Presented in cooperation with the The Affluenza Project
• Celebrate Buy Nothing Day - Take a day off from consuming. Founded by Adbusters.
• No-Waste Holiday Ideas:  Reducing waste and giving “green gifts” during the
  holiday season
• Winning the War on Holiday Waste
  
  

  American Consumption Factoids

  Each year an average of 40,000 pounds of new materials are consumed for each American, as well as the energy equivalent of 30,000 pounds of coal.

  The average newborn infant will need a lifetime supply of 800 pounds of lead...750 pound of zinc...1,500 pounds of copper...3,593 pounds of aluminum...32,700 pounds of iron...26,550 pounds of clays...28,213 pounds of salt...and 1,238,101 pounds of stone, sand, gravel, and cement.

  The United States with less than 5 percent of the world's population and 7 percent of its land area, consumes about a quarter of the entire globe's minerals production.

  The average American Family of 4 discards 575 lbs. of food packaging each year.

  rAmericans throw away 7 million cars a year, 2 million plastic bottles every hour and enough aluminum cans annually to make 6,000 DC-10 airliners.

  Americans throw away enough used motor oil each year to fill 120 supertankers

   

  Click hear to lean about composting

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