Inaugurated by IN-SPACe
ISRO Registered Space Tutor
S4-SA4-0536
What is Sustainable Consumption?
Grade Level:
Class 8
Space Technology, EVs, Climate Change, Biotechnology, HealthTech, Robotics, Chemistry, Physics
Definition
What is it?
Sustainable consumption means using goods and services in a way that meets our needs today without harming the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It's about making smart choices that reduce our impact on the environment and society.
Simple Example
Quick Example
Imagine you have a mobile phone. Instead of buying a new phone every year when your old one still works perfectly, you decide to use it for 3-4 years. This reduces electronic waste and saves resources needed to make new phones. This is a simple example of sustainable consumption.
Worked Example
Step-by-Step
Let's say a family uses 5 plastic water bottles every day. We want to see how switching to a reusable water bottle can help.
Step 1: Calculate plastic bottles used per week: 5 bottles/day * 7 days/week = 35 plastic bottles.
---Step 2: Calculate plastic bottles used per year: 35 bottles/week * 52 weeks/year = 1820 plastic bottles.
---Step 3: If the family switches to one reusable water bottle, they use 0 plastic bottles per day. The reusable bottle lasts for 2 years.
---Step 4: Over one year, the family saves 1820 plastic bottles from being wasted.
---Step 5: Over two years (the life of the reusable bottle), they save 1820 bottles/year * 2 years = 3640 plastic bottles.
---Answer: By choosing a reusable water bottle, the family prevents 3640 plastic bottles from becoming waste over two years.
Why It Matters
Understanding sustainable consumption is crucial for protecting our planet. It helps in developing greener Space Technology by reducing waste, designing more efficient EVs, and combating Climate Change. Many careers, from environmental scientists to product designers and policymakers, focus on making consumption more sustainable for a better future.
Common Mistakes
MISTAKE: Thinking sustainable consumption means not consuming anything at all. | CORRECTION: Sustainable consumption is about consuming wisely and responsibly, choosing products that last longer, are made ethically, and have less environmental impact, not about stopping consumption entirely.
MISTAKE: Believing that only big companies or governments need to practice sustainable consumption. | CORRECTION: While large entities have a big role, individual choices like reducing food waste or reusing items also contribute significantly to sustainable consumption.
MISTAKE: Confusing sustainable consumption with simply recycling. | CORRECTION: Recycling is one part of sustainable consumption, but it also includes 'Reduce' (using less), 'Reuse' (using things again), and 'Repair' (fixing things instead of replacing them) to avoid waste in the first place.
Practice Questions
Try It Yourself
QUESTION: Your school canteen uses disposable plastic plates every day. What is a more sustainable option? | ANSWER: Using reusable steel plates or biodegradable plates made from leaves.
QUESTION: A local tailor repairs torn clothes instead of people buying new ones. How does this action relate to sustainable consumption? | ANSWER: It promotes reuse and reduces textile waste, which are key aspects of sustainable consumption.
QUESTION: Your family buys groceries in single-use plastic bags. If you switch to cloth bags, and each cloth bag replaces 5 plastic bags per week, how many plastic bags would you save in a year with 2 cloth bags? | ANSWER: 2 cloth bags * 5 plastic bags/week/cloth bag * 52 weeks/year = 520 plastic bags saved in a year.
MCQ
Quick Quiz
Which of these is NOT an example of sustainable consumption?
Repairing a broken mixer instead of buying a new one.
Carrying a reusable cloth bag for grocery shopping.
Buying a new smartphone every year because a new model is launched.
Turning off lights and fans when leaving a room.
The Correct Answer Is:
C
Buying a new smartphone every year creates more electronic waste and uses more resources unnecessarily, which is not sustainable. The other options involve reducing waste, reusing, or saving energy, all of which are sustainable practices.
Real World Connection
In the Real World
In India, many startups and government initiatives are promoting sustainable consumption. For example, companies like 'Daily Dump' promote composting kitchen waste at home, reducing landfill burden. Also, many local kirana stores now encourage customers to bring their own bags, showing how everyday choices impact sustainability.
Key Vocabulary
Key Terms
REDUCE: Using less of something to minimize waste | REUSE: Using an item again for its original purpose or a new one | RECYCLE: Processing used materials into new products | ETHICAL CONSUMPTION: Buying products made in a way that respects workers and the environment | E-WASTE: Discarded electronic devices.
What's Next
What to Learn Next
Now that you understand sustainable consumption, you can explore 'Circular Economy'. This concept builds on sustainable consumption by looking at how we can design products and systems to eliminate waste and keep resources in use for as long as possible.
