Black Friday: A celebration of consumption

Consumption is fuelling the climate crisis

Christians celebrate Easter, Muslims celebrate Eid and Hindus Diwali. What about Capitalists? Their day of celebration is Black Friday, a celebration of consumption. Consumption is one of the bedrocks of the capitalist system, but mindless consumption is a major cause of the climate crisis. We can’t deal with the climate crisis if we continue to consume mindlessly.

British people are expected to spend £5,6 billion on Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales this year. That works out at £843 ($1080) per person. Black Friday is a day of excess, waste and decadence. Where people come to blows over a new T.V.

Fast fashion symbolises our throw-away society. Retailers entice people to buy clothes they’re likely to wear no more than once or twice. While this is good for retailers profits, it’s a waste of resources and contributes to the climate crisis.

Why do people keep on buying stuff? Research suggests we like new things, that’s why shopping is often referred to as ‘retail therapy’.

Buying new things may well give you a short term fix of happiness, but this fix is short-lived and cyclical. You’ll soon get tired of the item you’ve purchased, and want to buy more stuff to get a boost of happiness.