ABSTRACT
Since I came to the United States almost 12 years ago, I have been astonished by
the rate of consumption and the enormous amount of waste generated by people and
organizations. Could Americans wake up one day without electricity, gasoline, or
bread, as happened to many Eastern European countries in the early 1990s? It was
a tough lesson that many people of my generation will never forget. It is clear to me
that the current rate of consumption and environmental pollution is unsustainable.
Every few years, people change cars, computers, televisions, other appliances, and
even their homes! It is often said that if every person on this planet consumed like
Americans, we would need several planets Earth. But why should people in other
countries not have the right to own a car, travel to exotic destinations, and purchase
prepackaged food, modern appliances, and toys for their children?
