Conscious Consumption is not a choice anymore

We grew up in a world that was abundant in water, crops and of course clean air. Most of us were fortunate to see shooting stars in the clear sky. Growing up, our daily activities were planned around the changing seasons and the inevitable power cuts. We knew how to make the most of that time, be it enjoying the seasonal mangoes to finishing our homework when the light was on.

Today I reflect upon the change in our behaviour when we could afford seasonal vegetables any time of the year, get water and light 24x7 and have it all as everything is cheaper or more affordable for us. We consume, without care or caution, oblivious to the fact that these priceless resources are running out. There is no ground water in most of the areas in Bangalore and instead water is purchased through tankers that collect water from the outskirts and bring it into the city. Our air is mostly polluted, with the average AQI constantly fluctuating between unhealthy to hazardous.

Who amongst us would not want a life filled with modern conveniences? We have worked so hard to progress as a society to deserve, possibly demand, all the comforts that are available. It goes without saying that we want the same for our kids too. Many kids may not have to go through the same struggle as we will ensure a secured financial future for them. What we don’t realise is that we took away something far more precious from them. Every life on this planet needs the most basic resources to live and those are food, water and air. Well, we don’t see clean air anymore in the cities, our water bodies are drying out and the food is infused with preservatives to satisfy commercial needs.

What is more alarming is our complete failure to even acknowledge that any problem exists. We cling on to the past and assert loudly that our lifestyle is guided by traditions and compulsions. We hold our belief firm that our habits can do us no harm dismissing any objections as hype and paranoia. We pass down these beliefs, these lifestyles, and these habits to those dependent on us without realising that we are only leaving them unequipped in a vastly changing world. Our childhood was spent playing outdoors in clean air and fresh water while eating food untouched by chemicals. We have built a good immune system just like our parents and their parents before them. The next generation may not have that luxury anymore. The least we can do for them is giving them the opportunity to enjoy the experiences we had. Now is the time we adjusted our lifestyles, not because I told you so, but because they deserve it.