Celebrate Buy Nothing Day!Shalom and welcome to Tikkun Tips! A bi-weekly nugget of Jewish eco thought from your friends at the Teva Learning Center.
Over the next few days, many of us will be gathering with our families and closest friends to celebrate the holiday of Thanksgiving. We take this opportunity to think about what is most important to us, and express our gratitude for it.
And then comes Friday morning…Known in many circles as Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving has become the biggest shopping day of the year, as stores open their doors early to flocks of people looking to find the best deals on all of their holiday gift "needs."
So what is the environmental impact of our actions? Here is some food for thought on our consumer practices…
• The developed countries make up 20% of the world population but are consuming over 80% of the earth's natural resources.
• In the past sixty years, Americans have consumed as many resources as all previous humans put together.
• At three years of age, before they can read, one out of five American children are already making specific requests for brand-name products.
• Roughly 70% of all purchases made are impulse purchases.
But there is a simple action we can all take to make us more aware of these practices, their environmental impact, and keep in perspective the ideals we preach over the Thanksgiving meal.
Tikkun Tip # 3: Celebrate Buy Nothing Day! Take part by not taking part!
This year join thousands of people around the globe who are choosing to spend their days reading, writing, being with friends and family; everything other than shopping. Buy Nothing Day gives us a chance to challenge ourselves, our families and our friends to switch off from shopping and tune into life.
Buy Nothing Day is a Shabbat for the entire world. A day when we pause to recognize that there is more to life than accumulation. Take the opportunity this year to spend the entire weekend celebrating the simple yet profound beauty in being with loved ones.
Have a happy, safe and wholesome holiday, and may we keep our gratitude sincere and close to our hearts.
Source: Center for a New American Dream
Teva Learning Center
307 7th Ave Suite #900
New York, NY 10001
teva@tevacenter.org
www.tevacenter.org
|
Want More?
For additional information about Buy Nothing Day and other alternatives to consumerism check out Adbusters and The Center for a New American Dream
Like what you see here? Tikkun Tips is a project of the Teva Learning Center which relies on the support of individuals to bring our message to people throughout the country. Your help allows us to expand the scope of our programs and the numbers of people we reach. Please consider making a contribution to support our work. Support Teva
|
