Consumption pattern change 'must start with mothers'

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.