Skip to main content

The 3R - Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

Is the global warming real? Did Al Gore exaggerate the phenomenon in his recent book, "An Inconvenient Truth"? Are all these natural disasters, whether there be bushfires or earthquakes part of the whole "package"? Read more about it at the official link.

I know one thing for sure that the wealthy countries are overconsuming, using up what the good earth is yielding. I admit I am guilty of this as well. The economy is built upon consumption, and unfortunately, excessive one!

It is not difficult to understand this issue. Take a look at your own room or house. How many pair of shoes do you have? How about set of clothes? How about rings, watches etc? Do we need all of them? I am emphasizing need versus the desire to possess. That "desire to possess" is what the marketeers target.

In short, I am learning to consume as needed versus as wanted. In Singapore, I read about this Singapore Freecycle Network. The email is SgFreecycle@yahoogroups.com. One can join as a member and read about what others want to give away, and what others want. I have put up several offers and they are all taken up within a day or two. This is one good way to recycle what we no longer need.

The best action, according to my EHS (Environment, Health and Safety) buddy is to reduce rather than recycle. It is so very simple, yet so far away from the thought of most consumers.

The question is what about the economic growth? The whole GDP (gross domestic product) is based upon consumption. Without enough consumption, there will not be enough growth to fuel inflation. Profit in company will not rise as fast and investment will not be ploughed in to invest in new technology nor hiring of people. I do not have the answer to many of these issues.

For the time being, I aim to consume less and be a friend of the earth for my kid and her new generation to come. What about you?

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Thankful

Being thankful in any situation is a positive attitude. It brings peace to the mind and rest the heart. The result is a healthy body and a smiling face. Today go about and spread the story of being thankful

More is Certain

I had been working on an acquisition over the last three weeks and it was the most tiresome experience ever. The target being a public listed company means that any news leakage will drive up the share price. The purchase price of a public listed company will carry a premium on the share price. In Asia, I noted that the premium given is about 10~15% but in the USA, it is between 20~40%! Just imagine, if you spotted a target and you buy into it, and you hit the bull's eye! You could make quite a bundle. Of course, your guess could be wrong, and if so, expect that share price to go down, when the news is announced. For those working on such a deal, expect tons of information to be provided to you, and most of this could be outdated. However the bank (usually) engaged to do the job wants to impress you with documents. After all, more means "we are doing something" compared to "less but quality stuff". So, I have to keep sieving lousy information, to get out what is...

Is Gen Y in trouble?

Gen Y are people born somewhere in the mid 70s, and should be around thirtyish by now. Most of them in the developed countries are used to the good life style. Is this generation in trouble? Here's an article from Business Week. Think about our kids, who are part of this Gen Y. http://www.businessweek.com/investor/content/jul2010/pi20100715_116291.htm The Straits Times in Singapore carried a couple of articles as well on Gen Y. They are more attuned to pop, iPhone, gaming, luxury goods, pub, wine which the baby boomers avoid to plan for the future. What will the future hold for them and for us? Do we have to support the Gen Y as well from our retirement fund?