by Andrew Szasz

About Andrew Szasz

Andrew Szasz has written books and articles on the toxics movement, green consuming, environmental regulation, and environmental justice. Szasz is currently Professor and Chair of the Department of Environmental Studies at the University of California-Santa Cruz. He teaches courses on Environmental Justice, Sociology of Climate Change, and Sociological Theory.

Consumption

In discussions of environmental conditions or problems, the concept of consumption appears, typically, in two ways. First, consumption is said to be the problem. We are hurting the environment because we consume too much or we consume the wrong kind of things. Second, changing consumption is said to be an important part of the solution. If we wish to have a more sustainable relationship with our planet, we must consume less or, at least, smarter and better.