4Week 6 Discussion: Consumption and Exchange – Group 4

Introduction This week, we are examining how economies are sets of learned cultural practices that are directly tied to ecological and social interaction and impacts. Unfortunately, industrialized capitalism, with its focus on cultures of over-consumption, is having a drastic impact on our global ecosystems and peoples. Formulate and post your initial discussion after reviewing the resources from this weeks Read and Explore resources. Instructions Listen to, watch, and read the assigned materials on the Read and Explore page for this week and incorporate the resources into your response. Think about your own practices of consumption within your US industrialized capitalist culture and answer the following. Use specific examples from the Read and Explore resources in your answers. In 1-2 sentences (each): Explain how you would alter your consumptive practices if you had to produce (make or grow) and dispose of all items you purchase, use, and consume. Describe how ecological and economic practices are tied together. Describe how economic practices of consumption are impacting human and ecological health. Describe how you can shift your practices of consumption to positively impact local and global peoples and ecologies.