OUT-reach and Educate on Purchasing Power

As I sit and ponder what can I do to help make a difference in the world I am in, in the world the next generation will live in I end up on tangents of spectacular plans, ideas, and concepts. There are great innovations occurring all around the world; in energy production, resource recycling, and over all system restructuring of business processes is occurring. Many people may believe that this is happening because there is hype building now on "green", and companies and brands are jumping on the bandwagon. In a way I find this true. There are many many "green-washing" marketing ploys going on right now for this very reason, however, I believe this is only a part of the story, and there is a great amount of good going on as well.

The honest truth is obvious, companies want to turn a profit, and sustain their brand and product in the market as long as possible,they are out to meet the companies bottom line. In order to reach this bottom line of an income there are external forces that shape all company products and services, one of the strongest most underplayed elements is consumers purchasing power, that is the consumers ability to change the market and products themselves by demanding better and more, and usign there money to show it.

Companies change because their consumers tell them what is not working or could be improved in future products, or they stop buying a product. Companies adapt to a changing and demanding market. Without this, they would not survive. I believe there has always been conscience consumers, but I think the number of consumers that are becoming educated and knowledge about the products they purchase has grown.

Companies that continue to adapt and address consumers concerns and requests have continued and will continue to grow and flourish. Companies that have already been aware of there environmental and humanity efforts to be responsible and respectful are gaining customers on that fact alone. Being a responsible, kind, community oriented and real person is good for consumers relations, business profits, and the environment. There is a sense in pride from consumers using products they are knowledgeable about, and proud to be using, which in return, will increase word of mouth marketing, and again - increase business. Businesses like TOMS, local CSA's (community supported agriculture), Patagonia, Home Building products from sustainable resources, etc have all existed in some capacity before it was necessarily marketable to produce something that gives back or  is better for others and the environment, as well as the consumer.

These brands, companies and services have been able to highlight the good that they do while providing a solid good product. You can not sustain a business just because its green, it has to be a good service or product AND be sustainable and giving back. Why are companies doing this? Some have done it because those that developed the company already had in mind they wanted to be socially and environmentally responsible, but increasingly we are seeing more and more businesses, big and small alike, give back to the communities they are in, think about where they get things, and find ways to do things better for those in and around the community they service. Why would they do this if it was not in their original business goals and plans? Simple... Consumer Demand.

Not all people are aware of their purchasing power, but I feel consumers are increasingly becoming aware of the degree to which their purchasing power effects the products developed for them, and they are telling businesses what they want. If the demand is there, someone will find an answer, develop a product, and turn a profit, the consumers must ask for it, demand it, and put their foot down for what they will and will not support.

 I understand many people simply do not know and have never thought about how what they buy impacts things, and for this reason, I can not get mad. I, as someone that knows, need to take this knowledge (both of what I know, and that there are people that do not know) and do something about it. I could sit around, do my own thing, tread lightly, buy locally, etc, but I have the capability and the capacity to educate and outreach.

I do not need to preach, I do not need to tell people they are wrong and that they can not do what they are doing. I do have the ability to plant a seed, and to water the seed, and make sure I live in a way that shows it can be done, and that it can work to benefit me and others. If you plant a seed in someones brain, simply showing them how to think about things by asking them questions, "Hey where is that Wine from? Is it local?" "I got all my veggies from the farmers market this week... its great to know where they come from and support the local community".  This opens the dialog to discuss it, without imposing. You are not telling them to do anything, but you are educating about the choices you are making, it can spur them to consider it, invite them to come with you, have a conversation about this very article.

Look at the examples of where companies have taken notice of consumer demand, or consumer purchasing power... is there something you use to buy that is no longer offered? Why is this, maybe because you where the only one buying it? Because there was a better, more environmentally and humane product out there to replace it?

I know I live within a community, and surround myself with like-minded individuals, so sometimes I, as everyone does on occasion, forget that not everyone knows everything they know, and some things that seem like common sense to me, are not in fact common every day knowledge to others. It is our job to educate, to reach out and provide the knowledge to other, in and outside of everyday connections. Education and outreach is the only way to make successful, wide spread change. 

People wanting a quick answer will find it, the Internet and professionals alike have continued to provide knowledge and answers for those that are looking, that know they are trying to find a solution. The people that do not look are the ones that can make the biggest difference and can make larger shifts and changes, the people that do not know what purchasing power is, or how it can make a difference.

You can wait around for someone to ask you about what you know, or you can OUT-reach and educate, its not called Inreach *wink.

Revolution is a paticipatory sport...

On to my serious topic and thoughts of the day displayed in the way I think about them, comentary and all... our world, planet, future and hope. Now I live in the world of climate change and long range planning to try and reduce emmissions, resource management, to save something for the generations after us. I am also taking a psychology class that touched on the influences of culture on your psychological development

Growing up I always thought, oh I'll grow up, get married, have kids... blah blah blah, and live happily ever after. but the growing up part opens your eyes to how to make a difference.

I have come to the conclusion that to make a difference, we need to do less... less of everything (except maybe educate people) especially in America. Our culture is built off of pride and success for the individual; accomplishments, degrees, financial, material success, the individual before the masses. Other cultures think as a group, they care for the success of the group as a whole (maybe I am a flaming liberal for these statements. it is possible) but WTF america... figure it out.

We need to stop caring about having 5 cars, the big house, we need to start thinking about what we would do if the economy just froze and fell off the face of the planet. In so many other countries families live together, the elderly live with their children, and help their grandchildren grown, foster good family ideals, they teach caring, among many other things. Just because one person is the breadwinner, does not mean the others are not contributing, because the working class are supporting the masses (just as I think we need to support health care) does not make them the only "successful one", every part of a family is part of the success of the system... and each one of those people are ok with that.

Did you know the majority of those without health care in America are children.... who have no say in the matter, (they also are the age bracket highest in extreme poverty) and our elder are supported by social security that is failling, that keeps them below the poverty line, even though they have worked their whole life and given to this country. And who is making the decisions for these groups? Who are the ones that are saying our health care is fine? (not the children born into poverty and with no health care, thats for sure)What happen to caring about those around us? (yes there will be people that choose to take advantage of "the system" but what system does that not happen) and the majority of people in countries that do have universial health care are happy with it, and would not want it privitized (despite news media, if you talk to real people, you will find this is th truth).

We need to stop eatting bananas(I know this one seems random), the number 1 consumed fruit in the US, and something that CAN NOT be grown here... Think of how much energy, effort, and pollution it takes to bring a banana to you (yes, I still eat bananas, but I feel a lot guilty every time I eat them!) let alone many other products that come from other countries and other states. We need to be aware of how we get the things we are privilaged to have access to in this country... minerals, jewels, and think of the lives of the people that bring them to us, that allow us to live the way we do... do we as a country consider this? not with any true compassion.
We need to find joy and pride in "old" things, and not having to have all brand new things, what happen to the pride in items that are passed down, that you fix, that you use adaptively... We need to think locally, and we need to think low impact...

Really I think we would be a whole lot happier as a people, as Americans, as human beings, I think we would relate better with each other, if people reflect in their belongings and see that there is more beauty in a mess of personalized, old, beautiful, passed down items (let alone the stories and pride that come with these items).
We need to have a cultural identity check, think of others, think of the future, but this would take a lot of psychological overdrive to accomplish... do I think its do-able with the environmental impacts? Yes, I do, I hope that we have that ability.

(I honestly have moved from that little girl with a happily ever after, to one that thinks maybe I shouldn't have kids, that I should buy local, where-ever I might be, and live lightly on the world in all ways as I can... but can one person change the world?... if enough "one persons" thought this way, it is possible. Are we past the hope stage?*shruggs shoulders* I could just say fuck it... I mean, I proably won't be around when things go south, but then again, I tend to be a nice caring person that thinks there is good out there, and I have a lot of hope, although I wonder if there is a point to it, or if it is so I personally don't loss my mind. (If you don't have hope, what do you have)
-Heather Phillips
  February 2010