BUY NOTHING DAY

This Friday, the day after American Thanksgiving, is known as Buy Nothing Day, an international day of protest against consumerism. The things we buy can often have a big environmental impact, and in our present climate emergency, we must face the ethical consequences. In our developed countries, 20 per cent of the world population are consuming over 80 per cent of the earth’s natural resources; so our economy has to quickly transform away from gross consumption and our reliance on a growing Gross Domestic Product.

Buy Nothing Day means ignoring the Black Friday sales and online purchases, and reflecting on our daily spending habits. Various public protests have been used on Buy Nothing Day to draw attention to the problem of overconsumption, for example, Zombie walks around a shopping mall or ‘Whirl-Marts’ of silently steering shopping carts in a long ‘Buy Nothing’ line. Some people will not only not buy anything, but also not drive their car, and keep televisions, computers and other non-essential appliances turned off for 24 hours.

The Sierra Club Atlantic Canada Chapter encourages Islanders to consider a ‘Buy Nothing Day Walkaway’ by getting outside for a walk to celebrate the great outdoors, while walking away from consumerism and unnecessary shopping. The message behind Buy Nothing Day is far more than a day protesting consumerism; it can be the start of a new lifestyle for citizens, and a societal change to lessen our impact on our precious, beautiful Earth.

Tony Reddin is a Bonshaw resident and co-chairperson of the Sierra Club Atlantic Canada Chapter executive committee.