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Consumerism, Environmentalism, and Marketing

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Consumerism, Environmentalism, and Marketing
Consumerism, Environmentalism, and Marketing

Consumerism is the equation of happiness with consumption in the purchase of material possessions (Cross, 2000). In economics, consumerism is the free choice of consumers, which dictates economic structure of society. Consumerism is an international phenomenon. Consumerism also includes the promotion of consumer rights and protection. Changing fashion and planned obsolescence benefit the producer. Twentieth century consumerism shifted from values of community, spirituality, and integrity to more competition, materialism, and disconnection. Upper class consumers are desired targets for marketing campaigns (Miller, 1991). A consumer may derive a great deal of satisfaction from purchasing something that improves their social status. Generally, consumers seek to emulate those who are above them in the social hierarchy. Environmentalism is a social movement concerned with conservation and improvement of the environment (Luke, 1997). Environmentalism is associated with the color green from dark green to light and bright green. Environmentalism seeks to influence politicians through lobbying, activism, and education. The environment movement, ecology, health, and human rights, advocates for management of natural resources and changes in public policy. Environmentalists try to give the natural world a stronger voice in human consciousness. In the 20th century, environmentalists gained popularity and recognition. Efforts to save wildlife and the National Park Service founded by President Woodrow Wilson in 1916 were in response to environmentalists. In 1962, Houghton Mifflin published Silent Spring by biologist Rachel Carson who raised public concern about DDT and other pesticides that may cause cancer and were a threat to wildlife, especially birds. Groups like Greenpeace and Friends of the Earth focused on air pollution, oil spills, and water contamination. Free market environmentalism

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