Virtuous Circles for Sustainable Consumption, Production and Lifestyles

Description of Challenge

When most people try to change their consumption habits and lifestyles, they face difficulties and it
requires a big effort. This is because in capitalist society there are ‘vicious circles’ that make easier
and cheaper to consume faster, and use disposable and throwaway products.

"The proposal is trying to generate virtuous circles, changes which will feedback other changes,
that will feedback the first changes again” Álvaro Porro

Solution

We can build peer groups with shared affinities that build connections and networks to make it
easier to find ways of satisfying needs like food, shelter, nursing, finances, energy, etc. there are
many examples of such peer groups and they include ood cooperatives, time banks, nursing
groups, energy cooperatives, etc.
In these groups it’s possible not only to satisfy a specific need (i.e. food via a community
supported agriculture system) but also to satisfy other needs like creativity, affection, participation,
etc. by sharing ideas, principles and common ethics. This often has a knock on effect that
entrepreneurs end up encouraging themselves and being motivated to go forward.

REFERENCES
https://www.facebook.com/VirtuousCircle
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virtuous_circle_and_vicious_circle
https://www.fuhem.es/media/cdv/file/biblioteca/revista_papeles/121/Politicas_publicas_y_cambios
_de_consumo_A_Porro.pdf

Submitted by:Altekio