Just got done reading the book of The Story of Stuff by Annie Leonard. It was obviously be a little more in depth than the 20 minute video, but it was down right depressing. The work she has done with Greenpeace and other environmental justice organization, has been phenomenal.

As someone from the US, it is embarrassing how much we pollute other, poorer, countries. I knew it was a problem, but not on the scale that it truly is. I have already tried to reduce my family's consumption, but this book has convinced me to do more. Mainly, to get involved, in the ways I can, to push corporations to change also.

As Consumers, I believe, the best thing we can do is vote with our dollars. I grew up in a farming family and know the damage corporate farms can do, so the main effort my family has been putting in lately is to cut down on our reliance on these dangerous farming practices, and helping others learn how to grow or harvest their own food too.

I have changed to buying locally, pasture raised, organic meat (and consuming less meat overall), And am working up towards growing all my own fruits and veggies, through a large garden, berry patch and orchard. (Although the berries and orchard are still too young to grow substantial fruit.) Between growing our own food, hunting, and foraging, we have cut our reliance on the grocery store by almost half. And this has only been over the last few years. I hope to be full self sustaining with food in another couple of years.

This book has encouraged me to cut down on my screen consumption and live more consciously overall. Social Media, TV, and websites are all littered with ads, and I have fallen for those crappy products on social media ads before. I figure if I don't know about it, I won't want to buy it.

I have a full time job and five kids, so it's harder to get out and be involved in protests and boots on the ground environmentalism, but once the kids are out of the house, I would like to focus more on this.

What are some other ways you all have drastically reduced your consumption of different goods? My main focus has been reducing our consumption of terribly raised foods, and single use paper and plastic products. I would love to hear what others have done.

Tldr; Read the book based on the 20 Minutes video The Story of Stuff. It made me realize I had to change my habits drastically. in what ways have you drastically cut consumption in your life, and what made you realize the need for change?