FOMO Can Trigger Climate Crisis
REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA — Excessive consumption culture or overconsumption is seen as accelerating the climate crisis. Overconsumption is partly caused by the fear of missing out (FOMO) phenomenon triggered by social media.
Overconsumption triggers a massive increase in goods production, which directly impacts the rise in greenhouse gas emissions. The higher the consumption, the greater the energy, raw materials, and transportation required, from production processes to distribution.
In addition, excessive consumption patterns also result in a surge of waste, particularly from single-use products. This waste not only accumulates in final disposal sites but also produces methane emissions that accelerate global warming.
The Young Participation Foundation (YPM) encourages increased awareness among young people about the impact of such consumption patterns. This issue emerged in a seminar and workshop at the UI Campus recently.
The event, titled “From FOMO to Overconsumption: When Trends Become Toxic for the Earth”, involved 95 participants from students to university students in the Jabodetabek area. The forum also featured cross-perspective discussions, from academics, government, to business practitioners.
UI FISIP academic Muhammad Imam stated that the overconsumption phenomenon needs to be addressed through firm policies. The role of young people is seen as important in driving such changes.
“Young people should actively engage in the policy process, not just as observers, but as agents of change,” said Imam, as quoted on Saturday (25/4/2026).
From the government side, DKI Jakarta Environmental Agency’s Public Relations Adam Faza Gimnastiar explained the shift in environmental management approaches. Policies are now moving from an end-of-pipe approach to a preventive one based on Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP).
“The government acts as a regulator, facilitator, and catalyst in encouraging changes in public behaviour,” said Adam.
From the industrial sector, FMCG company’s Sustainability & External Affairs Assistant Ariq Gilang Narendra believes sustainability cannot operate partially. The business world is seen as needing to move in line with public policies and cross-sector collaboration.
“So it’s important to implement SCP across the entire business value chain,” said Ariq.
YPM Co-Founder and Executive Director Neildeva Despendya highlighted the impact of the climate crisis on young people, including the rising risk of eco-anxiety. She noted that there is still a gap between government policies and the needs of young people.
“There is still a gap between government policies and the real needs of young people that needs to be bridged through meaningful participation,” said Neildeva.
After the seminar, participants attended a Focus Group Discussion to draft a policy brief. This simulation was designed to train negotiation processes and decision-making across policy actors.
The recommendations produced are expected to make a real contribution from young people in promoting sustainable consumption and production policies.
“Through this programme, YPM reaffirms its commitment to combating overconsumption culture while building awareness that consumption is not just an economic activity, but also a political action that directly impacts the future of the environment and the direction of national development,” said Neildeva.