Consumption pattern change 'must start with mothers'

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The word consumptive nicely describes the everyday lives of upper-class Jakartans, and also reflects the lifestyle of most Indonesians.

The consumption patterns of upper-class Jakartans are classic examples of a lavish lifestyle: Just take a look at the fancy cars that parade down the city's streets.

At a recent automotive exhibition in the capital, BMW showcased four new luxury models, which sold out in just two days.

Look at the "mansions" across the city, with big pillars standing in front of massive houses in which only four or so people reside.

Analysts say that as humans, it is normal to lead a "convenient life", especially when it is affordable. But one thing that is sometimes overlooked is that such lifestyles harm the sustainability of the earth.

Most people never consider how much fuel is needed for a 4,000 cc luxury car, or how many trees, rocks or other materials are needed to build a single mansion.

Of course, it is unfair to blame people for seeking out convenience in life, because, as sociologist Eka Budianta says, what -- their culture, lifestyle, approach to life, ?? does not teach Indonesians how to save.

"In four-season countries, people used to save up for winter, but not in tropical countries like ours, where the sun shines all year," he remarked.

Eka said the seemingly unceasing supply of food and materials from nature made people forget about the finite character of most natural resources, or that a growing population would someday outstrip nature's ability to support people.

"Little do people know that Indonesia will run out of oil in the next 20 years and that our forests are rapidly disappearing from the country's soil," Eka said.

Changing patterns of consumption will be one of the major issues discussed in Bali at the upcoming preparatory meeting on sustainable development.

People's awareness of sustainable development, which was a forgotten issue at the 1992 Rio summit compared with the economic and political factors of development, will be one of the main points of discussion at the Bali meeting.

"The world has finally realized that it is necessary to increase people's awareness of saving and using natural resources effectively," Eka said.

For a country like Indonesia, he said, there should be a massive mobilization to grab people's attention about the importance of conserving natural resources.

Such action may be more effective than the strengthening of legal instruments, as Indonesia has already issued several regulations on sustainable development that have had very little impact on people's lives and actions.

Most of the regulations simply touch on how the industrial or the formal sector could be more environmentally friendly -- the need to teach people how to preserve nature for future generations.

"Regulations are important, but the most important thing is creating a sense that conservation is necessary," Eka said.

But where should the effort to build this awareness begin?

"It should start from family, especially mothers across the country," former state minister of women's empowerment Khofifah Indar Parawansa said.

Families are the best place for a whole new generation to learn about saving and mothers could share their experience of running their own households as a real life example of saving.

"Mother will be the first person to notice when prices go up and she has to reorganize the family's spending," Khofifah cited.

Woman legislator Noviantika Nasution also said that mother is the first person to turn the light off during daylight hours and to express concern over excessive water usage.

"And if a mother can provide that kind of example, the whole household will obey her. To educate mothers on saving is the best way of raising people's awareness," she said.

The legislator cited that most of the time mothers determine the spending of their family.

"In weddings, for example, if the mother wants a simple reception, the father will not argue," she remarked.

However, Khofifah cited that trusting mothers with such decisions should be matched by increased women's participation in education because only educated mothers could teach their families how to save.

"If the mother understands the meaning of sustainable development then the family will go along with her," she remarked.