How economic gloom will impact on the environment.

After a couple of weeks away from my blog (working on www.keithsuter.com) I am back writing. So much has happened globally over the Christmas break it is hard to know what to write about first! I have decided to just concentrate on one thing at a time.

The State of the world economy  has become the defining incident of 2008 and looks set to shape 2009. I am interested in finding out what is going on around the world and what impact this downturn will have on the state of the environment.

1) The US  will most likely  end up $1.6 trillion  in  deficit by the end of 2009. This debt will hover like a bad hang over   for many years to come. A strapped for cash economy can look forward to many issues with one of the more minor being slowdown in consumer spending. Although a country with no cash can’t invest in greener technology, the slowdown in spending will ensure that those new SUV’s  stay off the roads, holidays will be taken closer to home and people may start going without the third Plasma TV. All bad for the “economy” but better for the environment.

2) Suicide rates rise. German businessman Adolf Merckle comitted suicide this week as the stress of the financial crisis became too much to bare.  It is not just wealthy business leaders that are feeling the crunch. In Japan a phone line has been opened for citizens realing from job losses and wealth depreciation.  It is hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel when your whole world caves in like this but it is important to remember that we are all in this together and there are plenty of people who can help. In Australia the Lifeline phone line is one such place.  Envirnomental impact of suicide? Well,  suicide should not be trivialised but being able to see the credit crisis as something that could have a positive effect environmentally may give some people a new focus and perspective- necessity is the mother of all invention.

3) Home Cooking.  Supermarkets around the UK posted strong growth in the sale of staple food items such as potatoes, budget spaghetti and tinned rice pudding as people cut back on spending and eat at home. A consumer trend watch company also based in the UK: The Food People reported that comfort food and home baking will be the way to go.  This has a positive effect on the environment as people cut back on heavily pre-packaged and single serve treats. Home baking is also a good opportunity for family bonding and makes a pleasent change from watching TV!

4) Growing your own.  Both Australia and the UK have seen a rise in seed sales and compost as more families make room for a veggie patch. Motivated by concerns over the health and environment have now been joined by economic need meaning that more and more of us are reaching for the trowel.

Yes the economic downturn is a bad thing. Yes, if we all loose our jobs we will have a lot more to worry about  than how to pay our mortgages. Yes, we do all need to do our bit to stay positive  (and help others )and look for a swift turn around. BUT what is wrong with doing all of the above and spending the money that we have saved (if any) by being more environmentally aware, supporting Green initiatives and volunteering.  The world is changing, somebody moved the cheese – we have to move with the cheese!