61 Rebelling Against Black Friday Consumerism

Published: Nov. 17, 2021, 3:24 p.m.

b'

We generate 23% more waste during December than other months of the year, but more than three in four Americans wish the holidays were less materialistic. Our retail and consumer culture have gotten out of hand over holiday gift-giving. 9 in 10 believe holidays should be more about family and caring for others than about giving and receiving gifts. It\\u2019s too easy to hit Amazon or just grab something off the shelf at a store. Non-material gifts require more thought, so they are valued more by the recipients.

The Center for Biological Diversity\\u2019s Kelley Dennings joins us to share what she\\u2019s learned about dematerializing and greening up the holidays. Just like \\u201cpaper or plastic,\\u201d does the question of natural or artificial Christmas tree haunt you? She also points us to resources her team has created to help you do a holiday reset (see links below). They include helpful ways to introduce new non-material holiday traditions in your family. We hope this episode inspires you.

We also discuss the successful crowdfunding campaign to make our documentary, GrowthBusters: Hooked on Growth free from now on (see links below).


MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

Simplify the Holidays
Gift guides and other green holiday info
https://simplifytheholidays.org/

SoKind alternative gift registry
https://sokindregistry.org/

Simplify the Holidays Through Waste Reduction \\u2013 Webinar
https://youtu.be/jdxyYZfV27I

What Would Jesus Buy? (2007 documentary)
https://youtu.be/mAxuNdtZt7c

GrowthBusters: Hooked on Growth \\u2013 free on YouTube
https://youtu.be/_w0LiBsVFBo

Overshoot: World\\u2019s Best Introduction - Episode 57 of the GrowthBusters podcast
https://www.growthbusters.org/overshoot-worlds-best-introduction/

GrowthBusters Black Friday Trailer (2018)
https://youtu.be/OiTepSTPnM0

GrowthBusters Crowdfunding Campaign (It\\u2019s still active!)
https://fundrazr.com/growthbustersmovie

Ending Overshoot \\u2013 a publication on Medium
https://medium.com/ending-overshoot

On the GrowthBusters podcast, we come to terms with the limits to growth, explore the joy of sustainable living, and provide a recovery program from our society\\u2019s growth addiction (economic/consumption and population). This podcast is part of the GrowthBusters project to raise awareness of overshoot and end our culture\\u2019s obsession with, and pursuit of, growth.

Dave Gardner directed the documentary GrowthBusters: Hooked on Growth, which Stanford Biologist Paul Ehrlich declared \\u201ccould be the most important film ever made.\\u201d Co-host, and self-described "energy nerd," Stephanie Gardner has degrees in Environmental Studies and Environmental Law & Policy.

Join the conversation on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/GrowthBustersPodcast/

Make a donation to support this non-profit project.
https://www.growthbusters.org/donate/

Archive of GrowthBusters podcast episodes
http://www.growthbusters.org/podcast/

Subscribe to GrowthBusters email updates
https://lp.constantcontact.com/su/umptf6w/signup

See the film \\u2013 GrowthBusters: Hooked on Growth
http:www.growthbustersmovie.org

Explore the issues at http://www.growthbusters.org

View the GrowthBusters channel on YouTube

Follow the podcast so you don\'t miss an episode:

Listen on Apple PodcastsSubscribe on Android

'