Global Consumerism and Neoliberalism: Fueling the Climate Crisis
In recent decades, the climate crisis has become one of the most urgent challenges facing humanity. Yet, the roots of this crisis extend beyond environmental degradation. They lie in the interplay between global consumerism and neoliberal economic policies that have shaped the world over the past few decades. The Rise of Global Consumerism Consumerism, the drive to acquire more goods and services in an endless cycle of consumption, has grown exponentially in recent years. This shift was catalyzed by the widespread adoption of neoliberal consumer-based policies—economic strategies focused on free markets, deregulation, and the reduction of government intervention. These policies have not only fostered a culture of individual choice and material wealth but have also transformed consumption into a primary driver of economic growth. As corporations expanded globally, marketing strategies were refined to create a never-ending desire for new products. The result? An explosion of demand for g...