Shopping sustainably in an attempt to do your part to fight climate change is an admirable ambition.
But it’s also complicated and, if you aren’t aware, can be self-defeating.
Collectively cutting down these emissions could have a large impact on climate change.
A big portion of the climate-warming gases humans put into the atmosphere come from the manufacture of consumer goods.
So is green shopping hopeless?
It just requires a little additional thought.
And there’s good news.
you might buy luxury goods from websites like ThredUp and the RealReal.
Refurbished electronics are available on eBay and directly from manufacturers.
And you’re able to make a great find at your local thrift store.
But when you save money on something used, you might quickly start thinking about your next purchase.
Those “extras” have a carbon footprint too.
A secondary benefit: You save a little money too.
To be clear, reusable bags are good.
They cut down plastic waste and pollution as well as emissions from making more bags.
So if you have enough reusable bags, you’ve got the option to stop collecting them now.
Generally speaking, reusing things you already own is a strong sustainability move.
It’s a universal pattern, and sustainability experts call it the rebound effect.
As the production and use of technology became more efficient, global consumption shot up.
It’s a systemic problem we can’t get rid of simply by buying “environmentally friendly” products.
Bean, who also wrote a book on sustainable entrepreneurship called What Could Go Right?
“And it’s better for our psychology.”
