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Who’s an ethical consumer?

There is no ‘right’ way to be an ethical consumer.

Most of us apply ethical parameters to our choices and actions in some way. To think and act in an ethical way is to start from a point of personal reflection, develop and re-develop our values, and understand how our choices affect the outcomes of our actions.

In order to develop a set of principles which can help to direct our patterns of consumption, we need to become as well informed as possible about a wide range of issues. That is the purpose of this guide.

Simple Options for Sustainability aims to provide the community with a clear, readable guide to some of the (often hidden) issues involved in consumption. The choices regarding what action you take based on this information will depend on your own personal set of ethics.

The first section of the guide will run through some of the questions we are faced with as a local community, and address a range of options to help us manage change in the Kurilpa area.

We then look at different areas of consumption in our daily lives, and consider the social justice, environment, local community and animal welfare issues involved in spheres such as the home, food, farming, transport, banking and finance, office, clothing/textiles, media and mining.

Slotted in the center of the guide is a local business directory. All of the businesses listed, participated in a process whereby they completed surveys on a whole range of issues relating to their business practice. Please support the businesses listed in the business directory. They have been willing to engage in a process that analyses their business practice and its sustainability and they deserve credit for participating in the project.

The practice of ethical consumption is sometimes accused of encouraging further narcissism in Western society due to its focus on the personal. Yet the behaviour of society as a whole reflects the ideals of its members.

Wealthy industrialized nations, of which Australia is a member, though constituting one – fifth of the world’s population, account for four - fifth’s of the world’s consumption of fossil fuels and metal mineral resources.

This certainly says something about who we are. By engaging in deeper personal reflection on our habits of consumption, we can begin to consider the impact of our individual lifestyles on other people, other regions and the earth itself. This process can engage us far more closely with broader society and the planet than modern society has trained us to do.

Another critique sometimes levelled at ethical consumerism is that it limits social action. Of course, these two types of action are not mutually exclusive, and often go hand-in-hand to create more sustainable ways of living.

For instance, choosing to ride a bike rather than drive a car is a choice that reduces our impact on the environment and limits our support of trans-national corporations. Nine out of the top 12 largest trans-national corporations in the world are either petroleum or automotive companies. However, social action is also needed to create an environment that makes bicycle riding a safe and desirable option, such as cycle paths and driver education. Throughout this guide contact details are provided for people wishing to take action in relation to the issues covered.