![Our ecosystems - and our health - abused by overconsumption](https://img.passeportsante.net/1000x526/2014-03-24/i36768-nos-ecosystemes-et-notre-sante-malmenes-par-la-surconsommation.jpg)
March 17, 2009 – Does the consumer society as we know it have a future?
Yes, but the future is bleak, according to speakers who took part in a public debate within the framework of the International Colloquium on Consumption, held recently in Montreal.1. However, there is hope of avoiding the worst, but we must act quickly.
In fact, the system of economic growth and the mass consumption on which it is based has a direct impact on the health of the planet, according to them.
“Sixty percent of the ecosystems on which we depend are in decline or in a state of extreme stress: we live in a system of economic development that is not very sustainable,” said Louis-Gilles Francoeur, journalist specializing in the daily environment. The duty.
Citing various international sources, he argues that consumption is responsible for the decline in biodiversity and climate change.
A planet – and its inhabitants – under pressure
“It is estimated that 75% of fish stocks in the world are exploited to the maximum, while the fishing capacity exceeds the potential of the seas by 250%”, illustrated Louis-Gilles Francoeur.
Agriculture is not left out and will accelerate the shortage of drinking water, according to him. “Cropland already requires nearly 80% of human water withdrawals on the planet, and by 2050 that proportion will be 90%. “
Regarding climate change, Louis-Gilles Francoeur argues that humanity has ten years to act. “Afterwards, we will reach the threshold of irreversibility, where the phenomena of warming will maintain and engender by themselves, beyond any possible control by humans. “
Global warming is already responsible for the extinction of certain animal and plant species, and the pace could increase. “Any extinction deprives humans of a genetic capital essential for pharmacology, medicine, biotechnology and our food”, points out Mr. Francoeur.
According to him, we should tackle now to manage the decline. “It’s a taboo subject among economists, but we have to do it globally and quickly; otherwise, we will suffer a collective impoverishment that will lead us to breaking points, ”he warns.
Voluntary simplicity: the solution?
This is also believed by Louis Chauvin, professor of ethics management at McGill University and follower of voluntary simplicity.
“Being sustainable means living on interest and preserving your capital: in this case, our capital is the Earth and we have already cut it down quite a bit,” he said.
According to him, the dominant economic system does not take into account the liabilities that result from overconsumption. “Our primary asset, the planet, is deteriorating and, ironically, the current slowdown in consumption is good news! “
Member of the board of directors of the Quebec Network for Voluntary Simplicity, Louis Chauvin agrees that the idea of consuming less is not – yet – very popular.
This is because we would – wrongly – associate consumption and happiness. According to him, happiness is a state of mind that comes from within and requires introspection, while pleasure comes from the outside and functions on the same principles as drug addiction.
“It always takes more and you are never satisfied,” he concludes. Voluntary simplicity puts a stop to the hedonic carpet on which we stand still. “
Martin LaSalle – PasseportSanté.net
1. Organized by Option consommateurs and Éditions Protégez-Vous, the International Colloquium on Consumption took place on March 12 and 13, 2009 in Montreal.