Worldwatch State of the World 2010 Calls for Cultural Transformation

Skim your newspaper, pop on the news, check your RSS feeds and most likely you'll see something about more people making greener choices: changing to CFLs, driving a bit less, eating veg a couple days a week, shopping with the planet in mind, etc. To some degree "going green" has become more mainstream. But our systems -- education, media, government, business, etc. -- and the cultures of our society still support and nurture consumerism, the destruction of the earth, and the oppression and exploitation of others as means for making money and finding "happiness."

According to Worldwatch, a research organization that focuses on global issues (primarily environmental challenges related to food, climate change and the green economy), this way of living and doing business has to change if we're to avoid the catastrophic consequences of our consumer culture. Worldwatch publishes an annual State of the World report that provides a comprehensive exploration of one or more topics related to creating a healthy, sustainable world. This year's report calls for nothing short of complete global transformation -- using the various systems of education, media, government, business and so on, to "reorient cultures toward sustainability."

According to Worldwatch, “This transformation would reject consumerism—the cultural orientation that leads people to find meaning, contentment, and acceptance through what they consume—as taboo, and establish in its place a new cultural framework centered on sustainability."

"Cultural patterns are the root cause of an unprecedented convergence of ecological and social problems, including a changing climate, an obesity epidemic, a major decline in biodiversity, loss of agricultural land, and production of hazardous waste," says Erik Assadourian, project director.

The report, Transforming Cultures: From Consumerism to Sustainability, which involves the work of 60 authors, begins with a look at "the rise and fall of consumer cultures." Sections on traditions, education, business and economy, government, media and social movements each offer several essays exploring different aspects of those sections and highlight relevant facts, statistics and studies. The report also provides examples of positive changes already occurring around the world.

Read excerpts from the report for free (pdf).

Even the free sample essays would provide excellent sources for discussing the issues of cultural transformation and a shift from consumerism to sustainability with students.

~ Marsha

Image courtesy of Worldwatch.

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