by Nikolas Nies

Created on: February 17, 2009

It has been said that poverty is the worst polluter. In response, it should be said that consumption is actually the worst polluter. Consumption and poverty are two characteristics that don't come close to each other. Where poverty lacks education, modern facilities that are more environmentally friendly, and other vehicles for pollution free living, it actually gains from its lack of consumption.

Although poverty does not allow the benefit of newer cars that are more energy efficient and less pollutant, poverty restricts the ability to have multiple cars. It also restricts the ability to consume excess amounts of petroleum through over-travel. Not only through less gas used, but less miles travelled, consuming fewer tires, and other maintenance supplies, as well as less litter thrown out windows. A Hummer, Big SUV, or luxury car will not be found in the driveway of poverty.

A poverty stricken household is less likely to be filled with electronic gadgets. Gadgets that consume electricity even when not used. Most of these gadgets are not environmental friendly all the way to the landfill. You will not find a television in every room, most of them running all the time. You will find less battery operated gadgets in the poverty house. Along with the electronic junk, how environmental friendly is the disposal of batteries? Computers and the peripherals they require are scarce in poverty. The energy and raw materials needed for the production of these luxuries are pollutants.

Which brings us to the culprit behind pollution; consumption. You will not find as much trash generated in poverty stricken area, as you will a rich neighborhood. Bottled water, soft drinks, pre-packaged food, and many more convenient disposable tangibles will not be found in the trash bag of poverty. Poverty requires that you get the most out of the things you use. Poverty will not throw a shirt away just because its tired of wearing it. Furniture will be used until it is completely worn out. You will not see excess in poverty. Not only is consumption a perpetrator of waste, but it also pollutes in it production. Energy used, and raw materials manipulated creating toxic waste in their production are both extreme pollutants. Coal is used in the production of electricity, and some materials used in products purchased are so toxic, they cannot be manufactured legally in the United States. Pollution can not be attributed to the poor.

In reality, the definition of poverty should be considered in this converstion. An average household living in the 18th century would be, by todays standards, living in poverty. We all know that pollution was not as much of a problem then as it is now. Should we live like they did back then? No, but we should be conscious of the things we buy and what we consume. We should be aware of what we are filling our landfills up with. Do we need a new television, just because the old one is not the latest greatest. Because a friend bought a new one, with all the frills? Do we need to take that drive in the country, just because we are bored? Money allows consumption, and consumption creates pollution. so the more money available, the more pollution that will be produced.

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