Consumption, culture and climate change response
Current levels of resource consumption in industrialised countries are problematic for their contribution to environmental degradation. When much of the world lives in relative poverty, high consumption levels also raise questions of global social justice. At the same time, the majority world aspires to Western lifestyles, with their associated consumption levels. The world cannot sustain the expansion in consumption that would result from the global adoption of Western lifestyles. Yet, it seems unethical to deny the majority world the same standard of living that those in the West enjoy. The proposed research will explore this dilemma using climate change response as a case study. Consumption behaviour is deeply embedded in culture and associated with status and identity. The research will explore the cultural motivations for energy consumption in Australia through social research with Australians. It will examine the ethics of energy consumption. Further, it will examine a range of responses that could initiate cultural shifts towards lower consumption lifestyles, easing the pressure on global resources.
For further information about this topic contact Dr Chris Riedy
