"Influences" online are paid to make ads promoting unnecessary products. This influence hurts not only the wallets of those who purchase such products, but also the environment. Many of these products have plastic packaging, this packaging will likely end up in landfills or waterways.

*influencers

planned obsolescence is a business practice that involves making products break or become obsolete prematurely, this causes consumers to have to spend money to replace items more often than needed. for example, apple and other mobile device companies releases new phones annually and people are socially pressured to buy the newest model. due to this, people buy a new phone every year instead of when their old one breaks. this overconsumption causes more greenhouse gasses to be emitted because companies produce more phones per year.

Everyone has wants and needs, and it's usually hard to balance the two. Needs things and items that you usually need, while wants are just something that you desire. And a problem with wants is that usually it gets to a point where you have too many things that you want and you don't end up using them just because you wanted it at the moment which causes resources to used wastefully.

The difference between needs and wants is simple, but difficult to make a choice between them. Needs are things you must have to live. This includes things like food and water. Wants are things you just really want, like a new phone or toy. A significant issue is that wanting too much stuff can cause an overconsumption of materials. Making all those extra items uses up lots of Earth's materials, and it wastes energy. Also, it creates pollution. If everyone focused more on just meeting their basic needs instead of always getting the new and trendy items, we would stop hurting the environment so much and save natural resources.

With social media like TikTok and Instagram being so prevalent today, there's a lot of content centered around the trendiest clothes to buy. Especially now with resources like TikTok Shop and SHEIN, poorly made "trendy" clothes aren't only being pushed onto you from every site, they're also accessible with a few clicks. If you see a post about a shirt that you just need, you might not even have to leave the app to buy it. It's almost too good to be true. But what happens after a few months? The clothes you just bought aren't just falling out of style, they're falling apart. Influencers sometimes make it seem like the trendy, fast-fashion apparel they're promoting is a necessity, but the truth is, the clothes you have now work just fine. Not participating in fast fashion helps slow the masses of thrown-away clothes that litter every landfill. It also means you're not funding the unethical work practices of most of the companies that sell them. So the next time you see a shirt on the internet you're convinced you can't live without, remember, the shirt you have on right now is just as good.

This post effectively illustrates the relationship between social media consumption and unsustainable consumer behavior in the fashion industry. The accessibility of fast-fashion platforms like TikTok Shop and SHEIN creates a cyclical pattern of overconsumption and waste. When garments deteriorate rapidly due to poor manufacturing standards, they contribute significantly to landfill accumulation. Additionally, the carbon emissions generated from manufacturing, shipping, and disposing of these low-quality items represent a substantial environmental cost. By maintaining existing clothing items rather than participating in trend-driven purchasing, individuals can reduce their personal carbon footprint while simultaneously decreasing demand for unethical production practices. The data supports that extending the lifespan of existing garments through conscious consumption is one of the most effective strategies for reducing fashion-related carbon emissions and textile waste in landfills.

Our items and belongings that we have, clothes, technology and such should be kept if it is able to be used. For example, the clothes that I have are good enough and I do not need or want to buy new ones. There is no need to buy new clothes if the ones that I have are already good, and it would just be a waste of money and it would damage the climate. The fashion industry already makes up 8-10% of the total global carbon emissions, and me buying new clothes would make it go up even more.

you're totally right about this, the fashion industry is insane for carbon emissions. i never realized it was like 8-10% of global emissions until i started researching. honestly keeping the clothes you have is way smarter than constantly buying new stuff. plus most new clothes are fast fashion that fall apart anyway so you end up replacing them more often. if everyone just wore what they already had and took care of it, the fashion industry's carbon footprint would drop so much. it's crazy how simple the solution is but nobody does it.

According to Carbonliteracy.com the fashion industry is the second largest contributor to pollution (about 10% of global pollution). We in this generation spend around 5-6 hours a day on our phones, and more “doom scrolling” through TikTok, this is where companies thrive off of by paying your favorite influencers to promote their products, making them 2x as desirable just for them to lose “hype” after a few months; examples being clothes, water bottles, make up, etc. . All of these products that are being mass produced for every month long trends go to waste, as of 2019 H&M was known for having over 4.2 billion dollars worth of unsold clothing; according to Carbonliteracy.com 1.2 billion tonnes of carbon emissions come from the fashion industry alone.

Exactly, companies make fast fashion items which get popular for a certain amount of time only to go to waste when it goes out of trend.

This is smart to notice, because people often buy things that are trendy and stop wearing them or throw them out when they are not in style/trend anymore.

What is a Need?
A need is something essential for survival or maintaining a healthy life. Without it, a person's physical health would be significantly harmed or compromised. Example: food, water, and shelter.
What is a Want?
A want is something that is desired but not essential for survival or basic well-being. Wants are things that improve the quality of life, provide entertainment. Example: new phone, new car, and LEGOs.

I completely agree,Understanding the difference between wanting something and needing something could make all the difference in helping the environment because say you just want to buy (EX;LEGOs) that is not a need, and you're using CO2 to rather get to the store to buy LEGOs or paying someone to deliver those LEGOs to your house. But needing to go buy groceries for your home to feed your family is different and I think knowing the difference could be a big help to the earth.

Social media constantly advertises new products and clothes which encourages users to purchase more than what they need. The more people consume, the more they throw away. The fashion industry uses 93 billion cubic meters of water every year. Water is important to wildlife and humans. We use it to survive. Over 400 million tons of plastic are produced each year, and only 9% is ever recycled. The rest ends up in landfills. All the products that we buy are created in factories that produces lots of greenhouse gases. Greenhouse gases are the main causes of climate change and rising temperatures.
Sources: https://greenly.earth/en-gb/blog/ecolog … a23ede52a0

To be honest, I don't think it's worth it to get new things just because they're in style. For example, a friend of mine always purchased the newest iPhone model, even when his previous model was working flawlessly. After purchasing it, he continued to brag to everyone. Like many others, I am readily swayed by others to purchase items. I usually ask myself, "Do I really need it?" before making a purchase. In the majority of cases, the answer is no. I believe that the issue with overconsumption in today's society is that people find it difficult to distinguish between needs and wants while making purchases. I frequently see videos on social media of people—usually Americans, in my case—doing a "restock my fridge with me" and then filling the refrigerator full of tiny packaged products. These little packaging materials generate a lot of garbage. I've seen people purchase milk in tiny packaging simply because it had a nice cow sticker on it. Of course, that isn't true for everyone. According to what I've heard, Black Friday also leads to a lot of overconsumption because consumers typically purchase unnecessary items just because they're on sale.

Yes, I totally agree. While it may seem like getting the newest gadgets is appealing, it is a waste of resources when you already have perfectly working ones. In these kinds of cases, having the latest technology is definitely a want. You need to ask yourself, "Is this really going to let me complete my goal that is impossible without this? Is this really going to change my life in such an influential way that I will die without it?" However, sometimes medical devices require the newest technology in order to prolong lives. In these kinds of cases, having the latest technology is most likely a need. This is the difference between want and need, whether it will affect an individual's survival or a task's successful completion.

Hi Paula, I totally agree because getting the new iPhone is fun and the new features are cool but it wastes money and the environment. Something peple do to minimize costs is to trade in their phone every 2-3 years to be able to get the new phone for free with a Black Friday and not have their phones stop working and they don’t have enough money to get a new one. Something I do is to not buy things i need until Black Friday so I get what I need and I might forget the unnecessary things I wanted.

Although this is a true statement, the products are being mass-produced. The need is usually higher than the want. The example you gave about the new iPhone and how your friend buys it every year because he wants it isn't a valid example for everyone. Not just the iPhone, but in general, most sought-after items such as the iPhone are mass-produced. If these items' demand goes down, the product will go to waste. So the supply is created per the demand. So if an item is mass-produced just because one individual does not purchase it, only one item that the individual would have bought goes to waste. In short, one person restricting their wants won’t affect the overall climate.

I agree because we shouldn't be buying such products unless we truly need them, if they are being mass produced then we as a population could lower our purchasing rate for iPhone which would knock some sense into the company iPhone to lower their production rate due to less sales. I agree and disagree with Paula because Black Friday is basically just a day where the stores are selling out a bunch of stuff they don't need or have had for a long time and want to somehow get it out from their stores so they can have space for newer better items which have a much higher demand. But then people do purchase more than they need, like somebody could have a perfect set of kitchenware but they might buy new ones because its cheaper, but we also need to consider the fact that during Black Friday, most people buy stuff to gift to other people, because its a smart thing to stock up on items so you don't have to buy gifts when its more expensive. Something I would too personally.

Android better, battery life very excellent. big battery mean less charges mean less pollution mean better earth mean happy us.

I also agree, I get huge buyers remorse when i'm about to buy something. This would be better for me as I and many other people would not have to feel bad when they're buying something.

I notice that the internet is a  huge factor to the reason why people are such impulsive shoppers online, and thus leading many to purchase things that they don’t need at all.  Social media, such as tiktok, instagram  and other apps promotes new random gadget or new clothes to users that'll be forgotten about in a few weeks max. A study done by Earth Institute’s Research Program says that, "And in fact, across its life cycle, the average product results in carbon emissions of 6.3 times its own weight",not only meaning that these products are simply useless but that it causes harm to the environment. Not to  mention that the quality of these items promoted on these apps  are extremely cheap  and short-lasting  so much so that they really aren't worth your money.

There are some ways to reduce your carbon footprint for wants or needs like things that include, food, home energy, water, transportation, shopping, waste, etc. For food, eat more plant-based meals and reduce consumption of meat. Choose local produce to cut down for transportation emissions. For home energy lower your thermostat and also use less heating and cooling, Use energy efficient appliances and switch to LED light bulbs. For water, Save water by taking shorter showers and turning off the water while brushing your teeth. For transportation, try prioritizing public transportation, walking, or biking. Limit air travel and choose direct flights when you are able to. for shopping this is very important, reduce your overall consumption by buying less, especially new expensive items. There are multiple ways to reduce your carbon footprint for wants or needs.

Many people make their carbon footprint, and of all of their subjects, the transportation comes out to be the largest portion of all. This is because of many people who go on vacation and use things like airplanes and other large vehicles that burn fossil fuels. Overall, causing things like pollution and other harmful things to the Earth.

A major interference to the rapidly increasing CO² levels in our atmosphere is that we can't choose between our wants and needs. I have questioned multiple people, and some said things like, "I NEED my phone" and "my PlayStation is necessary," which is just not true. Learning to separate your wants and needs is great, as for example, having a healthy meal 2 or 3 times a day is a NEED, as getting that new video game that just came out is a WANT. Learning to choose between wants and needs is a very important skill that everyone should learn, and it would also help preserve our planet for the thousands of years to come.

This project revealed how often personal consumption is driven by “wants” rather than “needs.” Every product, from clothing to electronics, carries a carbon cost due to energy use during manufacturing, transportation, and disposal. Reducing unnecessary purchases and prioritizing sustainable consumption, such as buying secondhand or repairing items, can significantly decrease emissions. Practicing mindful consumption demonstrates that personal choices have measurable impacts on carbon output and natural resource conservation.

A nature.com article reads that "it's estimated that a search driven by generative AI uses four to five times the energy of a conventional web search" (Crawford, 2024). Using ChatGPT, even for just a simple prompt, uses water and energy, which affects its carbon footprint. Generative AI like ChatGPT has a massive carbon footprint because it goes through energy at an alarming rate, and this is often not renewable or environmentally-friendly energy due to cost factors. Many people, especially teenagers, use ChatGPT for just about everything, from doing their homework to looking up simple questions--two tasks that can easily be accomplished other ways (such as doing their homework themselves or using Google as a search engine). This is why the question of whether or not Gen-AI like ChatGPT is a want or a need is so relevant today. AI usage has never been so common, and it's important to remember the huge carbon footprint you are leaving behind when you use Gen-AIs to look something up or complete a task.

Source:
Nature.com Article

The Environmental Cost of Convenience: Is Generative AI a Want or a Need?
The rapid proliferation of generative AI tools like ChatGPT has fundamentally changed how many people approach daily tasks, from homework assistance to simple queries. While the benefits in productivity and innovation are vast, this convenience comes with a substantial, and often unconsidered, environmental price tag. The question of whether generative AI is a genuine societal need or merely a widely adopted "want" is highly relevant, given its significant carbon footprint in terms of energy and water consumption.
A key concern is the staggering energy required to power generative AI. A search driven by generative AI is estimated to use four to five times the energy of a conventional web search, while some sources indicate it could be as much as 10 times more energy-intensive. This disparity stems from the computational complexity of deep learning models and the data centers that house them. Training a single large model like GPT-3 can consume electricity equivalent to the annual use of over 100 U.S. homes, and the ongoing process of inference (running the models for user queries) consumes even more energy over time. The substantial electricity demands of these data centers often rely on fossil fuels due to cost factors and the sheer pace of construction, leading to significant carbon dioxide emissions.
Furthermore, data centers require vast amounts of water for cooling. Researchers found that a single AI-powered email generation could consume 519 milliliters of water, putting pressure on local water supplies. Beyond consumption, the manufacturing of specialized hardware (GPUs) involves energy-intensive processes and the mining of raw materials, adding to the technology's full lifecycle impact.
The argument that generative AI is a "want" centers on its use for tasks that can easily be accomplished through less resource-intensive means. Using a chatbot to perform simple lookups that a standard search engine could handle efficiently, or to generate homework that a student should do independently, highlights a pattern of convenience over sustainability. The "race to stuff" AI into every existing technology, as some critics note, may be creating environmental consequences that society has not explicitly requested or consented to.
However, proponents argue for AI's potential as a "need" in critical areas. Generative AI is being used in healthcare to accelerate drug discovery, in scientific research to model complex systems, and in various industries to optimize efficiency and tackle environmental problems, such as optimizing transport or predicting climate risks. When applied in these targeted, impactful ways, AI can offer substantial benefits that outweigh its environmental costs, particularly if powered by renewable energy sources or optimized for efficiency.
Ultimately, the issue is not the technology itself, but its application and scale. While AI holds promise for addressing some of humanity's greatest challenges, its ubiquitous use for trivial tasks presents a genuine ethical problem concerning its large carbon footprint. As AI usage becomes more common, individuals and organizations must consider the significant environmental impact of their choices. Responsible development will require a collective effort to prioritize efficiency, leverage renewable energy sources, and be more transparent about the carbon footprint of AI models. Users, especially younger generations who are frequent users, must weigh the perceived immediate benefit of AI convenience against the long-term environmental consequences, ensuring that this powerful tool serves as a true societal "need" rather than a thoughtless "want."
LeBron James's legacy extends beyond basketball, rooted in his extraordinary athleticism, championship-level success, and profound community and social impact. From his early days in Akron, Ohio, to becoming a global icon, his career is defined by a unique combination of physical gifts, strategic brilliance, and an unwavering commitment to social causes, particularly through initiatives like the I Promise School. He is a pioneering athlete-activist who has used his platform to advocate for change and has achieved unparalleled success on the court, making him one of the most influential figures in modern sports history. 
Athleticism and on-court dominance
From a young age, James was touted as one of the greatest basketball talents ever, earning the nickname "The Chosen One". His immense physical abilities, including a unique blend of size, strength, and speed, have made him a formidable and versatile player capable of excelling at multiple positions. This athleticism, combined with his intelligence and court awareness, has led to numerous championships, MVP awards, and a sustained career of elite performance that few athletes in history can match.
Championship legacy and adaptability
James's career is marked by a relentless pursuit of championships, which he has achieved with three different franchises. He has consistently adapted his game and led his teams to the highest levels of success, demonstrating a remarkable ability to remain at the peak of his profession for over two decades. This adaptability is further highlighted by his successful transition to playing in various cities and time zones throughout his career.
Philanthropy and social activism
Beyond the court, LeBron James is a dedicated community leader and a vocal advocate for social justice. He has used his immense platform to address critical social issues, combat voter suppression, and champion the cause of education. His most significant philanthropic achievement is the founding of the I Promise School in his hometown of Akron, Ohio, which provides education and resources to at-risk children and their families.
Conclusion
LeBron James is more than just an exceptional basketball player; he is a cultural force whose impact is felt globally. His journey from humble beginnings to becoming a champion and a leader in the fight for social justice is a testament to his extraordinary talent, resilience, and dedication to his community. He has redefined what it means to be a professional athlete in the 21st century, leaving an indelible mark on both the game of basketball and the wider world.

Lots of people buy things that they don’t really need but want. Don’t get me wrong, sometimes you should buy things you want, it’s naturally what humans do (like toys), just don't overly buy new things that you don’t need. An example of that is when you have a younger sibling but you or your family buys lots of new clothes for your younger sibling but you still have (and should save) your good well kept and in great condition clothes when you were his/her age and size but you keep buying new clothes for your younger sibling. Another example is when your an adult but keep buying new clothes and your closet keeps getting full because your old clothes are fine and still fit you.

Before buying anything, did you ever give it a moment's thought, " Do I need this? Or do I want this? ". This simple question, when answered truthfully, can be a contribution to lowering your carbon footprint or just saving money in general. An example would be, the new iPhone 17 just came out, now you have the iPhone 14 or 15, it works completely fine and could probably work fine for another 5-10 years with good care. But due to advertisements and looking at your friends with the new iPhone, you would also want one, do you need it? No. Do you want it to show off and not feel left out? Yes. Buying a new iPhone will completely waste your old one and your new one will  have a heavy cost, maybe not on the person buying it, but on the environment it will. It takes 65 kg of CO2 to make a single iPhone 17. An approximate number of 100 million iPhone 17's were made in 2025. That's about 6.5 trillion kg of CO2. So the next time you buy something, think about it, do you need it because its something you need in you daily life and don't already have, or if it's something you want, because you wish to acquire it.

Most things that we think we require in life can be boiled down into two different topics: want, or need. Water, for instance, is a need, essential for our life. but ice-cream, is a want. It is something that is not necessary for your well-being to be alive, and we as a society have thinned that line into almost invisible. We  have added things that we don't require and put them into the list of things we need. This has greatly impacted the carbon footprint we leave on the earth and the amount on greenhouse gasses we release into our atmosphere. I propose we fix this by realizing what is truly a need, and what is simply just a want. we need to only buy what we need, not what we want. Our "simple treats" that we get from day to day hurt our environment more than we know, and we need to reduce our overall consumption over our unnecessary possessions

Wants and needs are two different things that humans come with naturally. Wants are things we don't really need and just because something goes popular on social media we don't really have to get it. This is because after a while it will be less trendy and it's also a waste of money. The money spent on that can go to a shelter or food for people who can't afford it. But for needs it is OK because we can survive without it. That's why there is no problem in needing something that is needed to survive.

One large contributor to co2 emissions is fast fashion. These clothes are marketed as cheap and trendy, but they don't last and are harmful to the environment. Many people ignore this because they are attracted to the low cost of these clothes. Another way to find clothing at a low cost is thrifting. Thrifting is a good way to get clothing for cheaper without taking a large toll on the environment. We already have more clothes than we need in our world, so we don't need to be adding to that by buying low-quality clothing just because of it's price. Instead we can thrift used clothing that is higher quality and in many cases will last longer.

yooo you're so right about this! i used to be all about fast fashion because it was cheap and looked good but then i realized how trash the quality is - like stuff literally falls apart after a few washes. thrifting is where it's at though, you can find some actually fire pieces for way less and you're not adding to all the waste. plus thrifted fits just hit different, way more unique than wearing the same shein stuff as everyone else lol. fast fashion brands really got us thinking we need new clothes every week but thrifting proves that's cap.

Having the latest technology can be a want because we love to be around the media and it is a way to communicate.I don't get a cell phone often. I consider that you can have a long lasting device until you NEED a new one. Breaking ur addiction can be, not depending on your phone and making time for yourself.

yeah I agree honestly we don't need to upgrade our phones every year just because there's a new model. i keep my devices until they actually stop working or become too slow to use. breaking the phone addiction is hard but i've been trying to set limits like putting my phone away during meals or before bed and doing other stuff like reading or going outside. it really helps to just take breaks from being online all the time and remember there's more to life than scrolling lol ✌️

Being mindful before buying something and not buying unnecessary products.

A lot of the time I have the experience of buying something that I don't really need but feel like it will make me happy. This may be a response to boredom, however a goal I for myself is to find something else to occupy myself with instead of adding to overconsumption and waste. These harmful materialistic behaviors are something I know a lot of teenagers and people in general struggle with, as due to media the solution to every problem seems to be a new product. This wasteful mindset is part of the reason our planet is in such a bad state. An example of this is the floating trash islands in the ocean and the piles of old products and trash in third world countries that are direct results of our consumer driven society. A way to combat this is to think about if you really NEED something before buying it or if it will just collect dust in your home before you throw it out and it pollutes our environment.

I also understand the wanting something but knowing you don't need it. I feel it is a tricky thing to overcome and the best way to deal with this most likely is to try ones hardest to not get that thing. What we need to do is monitor our consumer nature to try and help our planet thrive, even though it may not do much, in the long it will help us.

I very much agree with this statement. I honestly think that people can be able to tell whether they actually need something or not but they still buy stuff anyway. That is what I think is the problem that people need to overcome. They need to learn to be able to just not buy stuff they don't need rather than being able to understand if they need it or not

I agree, but i like the stuff i dont need

I agree with every person because sometimes when I go shopping I buys clothes but at the end I don't even wear them a lot, just for 2-3 times

Hello lysaBOD. I agree that we should only be buying what is essential, however, I believe that is harder said than done. Not everything I buy is essential, but it was probably something I really wanted. This is no excuse to buy it, but being human, we have the flaw of greed. I am practicing on being mindful still and reducing my spending on things that have harmful effects.

The strong want to be able to have the popular things/items that are seen all over the internet, muddle the opinion of whether it is actually needed, or do we want it so bad that it feels like we need it? Lots of things are bought because someone wants it, but when something is needed, people noticeably slack on buy that item because it isn't wanted.

I agree with this, that many of the expensive things we buy are not necessities. However, in the world we live in it is a prised thing to have the coolest new thing or the next celebrity item. Along with people having the need to seem cool or fit in. This goes to show that everything we do contributes to climate change even as something as simple as buying the next popular clothing item to fit in because not only does it lead to over consumption but it leads to our judgment about wants vs needs being clouded.

I could see how people want to follow the latest clothing trends, buy celebrity items, and buy the coolest new things to try and fit in but Ive never bought celebrity items, my I phone is over five years old, and Ive had the same set of clothes for the past three years. despite this, Ive never struggled with fitting in or wanting to look cool. I have also rarely bought things out of a want to look cool and really only buy things out of necessity and occasionally for my hobbies.

Product shipping and delivery is a significant contributor to climate change. Although freight shipping accounts for 3% of worldwide greenhouse gas emissions, the numbers could rise dramatically in the next couple of decades. Additionally, not only does international shipping and delivery result in the burning of fossil fuels for transporting goods long distances, but it also oftentimes result in a lot of excess packaging and plastic waste. The alternative to this is shopping in-stores or supporting local businesses to reduce the amount of fossil fuels being burned for transportation and the amount of plastic waste from excess packaging. Unless it's imperative to buy something online or internationally, it's overall more environmentally friendly to buy local in order to reduce your carbon footprint from shipping.

I agree with your notion of it being more environmentally friendly to buy from local businesses. Big companies and corporations like Amazon make a good portion of their revenue by deliveries alone. It is obvious that it is in the company's best interests to keep up with these deliveries to maintain their revenue, no matter how environmentally non-friendly some of the practices are.

Local businesses are a nice alternative because it is likely that they use simpler or more 'natural' resources to create their products and goods. These businesses also don't usually have big trucks to transport their goods, which contributes to a cleaner footprint. That isn't to say that some local businesses don't use large trucks or transport vehicles, but compared to larger companies, the carbon footprint is much less for local businesses.

I-Pre-SJR State

I believe as humans we want more and more things, such as keeping up with the newest trends. It is not necessary because what we already have before buying these new items are usually in good condition.

I agree with you. I think people do want more and more things as new trends or something new comes out. I however don't think this is a bad thing to an extent of us buying things we don't always need or use.

I agree as well as you can easily notice how fast micro-trends go in and out of popularity which causes for great numbers of people to buy products and throw them away a couple years later after being barely used.

Agreed 100%, unfortunately I have also fallen victim to trends/microtrends but I'm trying to improve my want for unnecessary things, especially when the items I have already work well.

i agree, we want a lot of new things

Wants and needs are very tricky.

some people exaggerate with shopping which is a desire not a necessity, there are many things they don't need but they still spend a lot of money on things harmful to the environment

yess, overconsumption is such a big issue right now. If people didn't impulse buy so much there wouldn't be so many things that they throw away.

Especially with clothing trends that go away after a few months, people overconsume clothes so much. It's so important to actually like what you're buying and not just get stuff because other people have it!

100% it is not a necessity and many people should at least attempt to cut back

I think that overconsumption is a big issue and that we all need to remember what we have, before we purchase more things.

i think buying things in smaller amounts is one of the problems because they more packaging is used and it cost the consumer more.

Wanting something is different then needing something, wanting something is trying to get something that you don't need, needing something is if your old thing doesn't work or you need something to live your life.e

yeah if everyone only get stuff they needed and not everything they wanted, the world would be a much better place.

no i disagree, if we only have things we need then we should all simply live in shacks with food and water instead of huge homes with cars and whatnot, also we should not own ANY pets and all fend for ourselves, so i disagree but i do agree that we should limit our "wants" to an extent

I think we need a balance of needs and wants. Everyone should have a house with running water and electricity, and many families need cars to get to work and school. But when it comes to wants, you should be able to get some small things that you want every now and then, but I don't think you need EVERYTHING you want. Also pets should be for families that can afford to take care of the pet, and are financially stable enough to feed it and take it to the vet whenever needed.

yes i agree, you should get wants instead of ONLY relying on what you need. as for pets, i double agree. it almost seems selfish when homeless people own pets (respectfully) because they are literally in the worst possible situation for the pet. if i was homeless and would continue being homeless for a long time to come, i would give my dog to a shelter or someone trustworthy (i know its harder than it sounds

I would say wants are a major part of your carbon footprint because it is stuff that you don't need. Needs are the necessities like food water and shelter. I think the wants are what separate different peoples carbon footprint though I think there needs to be a balance between the two.

I think its very important to know what u really need then what u want.

I think having a phone that's a new model doesn't matter as long u can get in touch with someone.

I agree, getting the newest phone is a want, not a need, unless your current phone is broken.

People always say not to buy fast fashion, but why? If the clothes are already there in the store what difference does it make if I buy them? You have probably also heard of supply and demand. When there is high demand for a product, more supply will be made. When you buy clothes, decor, etc. from fast fashion stores you are creating demand. Then, companies create more supply to meet this demand. If we keep up this mindset that what we buy doesn't matter, then companies will keep creating supply, and damaging the earth.

I agree, and I think a way to bring down the demand is for more people to switch to thrift shopping. It is much more environmentally sound, it saves money, and as an added bonus makes you swaggier. The more people who switch to this environmentally sound way to shop, the less demand the stores will recieve, and the less they will produce, ultimaely leading to much less waste from clothing items. Although thrifting is a great way to reduce personal global impact, I believe there also needs to be more laws and regulations in the clothing industry because fast fashion is thriving despite having a continuously bigger impact on the environment. There needs to be a limit on the amount of clothing items that can be produced at once, ensuring the least amount of excess stock.

These days a lot of people buy useless clothes that they never wear. I don't think that these people realize the harm they are doing to our planet by doing that. Until I joined this project I didn't even realize that just simple shopping can endanger our planet. So, next time you shop. Make sure that you buy only the most necessary things or shop in second hand shops. That way you can save money and our planet.

I agree with this completely. More recently I've found myself feeling similar wanting to buy less but for a different reason, I wanted to not buy clothes to have sitting in my wardrobe that I don't wear. Feeling bad due to the number of these clothes I have. But now this website has enforced my intuition and now puts into perspective the role that I have even when shopping. Also I do love to indulge in second hand shopping due to finding cool, old, and not ridiculously priced, makes me thrift frequently. I sort out clothes while shopping personally by thinking do I really need it? Then another way to help the clothing cycle is selling, or donating your clothes thus helping buyers not purchase new for no reason when you can get it cheaper, and saving people from throwing away there old clothes.

You are right about how buying too many clothes can harm the planet. A lot of people don't realize that buying clothes that they are never gonna wear is gonna take up space in their closet, and it contributes to massive amounts of waste and pollution, as the fashion industry is one of the top global polluters. I had a similar realization when I watched a documentary on fast fashion and saw how much water is used just to produce a single T-shirt. Since then, I’ve started shopping more intentionally, focusing on quality over quantity and choosing second-hand stores when possible. Your point about saving both money and the planet is important and practical—it’s a small step that can make a big difference if more people adopt it.

I agree that lots of people today buy clothes just to buy them and never end up wearing them. I think trends contribute to that because people like to buy what's popular now. The bad thing is that trends change quickly, and the more people buy into trends and buy unnecessary things, the more it harms our planet. For me, I try to limit myself when going shopping, and if I see clothing I like, I always ask myself, "Would I actually wear this frequently?" I find this limits me from buying more and spending more. I hope more people come to the realization that we are harming our planet, and this will have a massive impact on the future, or even now. If you're going to buy clothes, be honest with yourself about whether or not you are going to wear them or toss them after a few months, and it ends up in a dump.

Having the latest technology is definitely a want, not a need. I've been using the same iPhone 12 since sixth grade and the same HP computer since fifth grade, and they still function perfectly well for everything I need. I’ve felt the urge to upgrade just because a newer version came out, but constantly buying the latest phones, headphones, or computers contributes to environmental harm, since the production and disposal of electronics generate a significant amount of waste and pollution. Most of the time, the upgrades are minor and don’t justify the environmental cost. Breaking the habit of always needing the newest tech starts with being more mindful and asking whether you truly need a new device or just want it. Educating yourself about the environmental impact can help shift your mindset toward using what you have for as long as possible.

People never seem to think about what their purchases could do to the environment or will they even use them at all. People should actually think if they need something when at the check out line. All people should get to get items that they enjoy but that should not come at the cost of Earth.

I agree, people do not think about the consequences to their actions.

I agree with this, people are not thinking about what they're buying and how that will impact other people and organisms. I think treating yourself to something unnecessary once in a while is a good thing, like a treat if you pass a test or a reward for doing something difficult. As a society, we can struggle to think about how our actions that we are taking now are going to affect others in future generations. If you want to buy something just because it's cheap, think about if you are actually going to use for a long time. Otherwise it would end up adding to our landfills.

I think you're right, I don't really think that some bag or shirt is worth it. We should really need to consider about second-hand shops instead od making huge amounts of clothes. Making our own clothes from old ones or from other kinds of fabric is really good way to recycle and refresh our wardrobe and it's good for environment.

I fully agree with you. Impulsive shopping has been normalized to the point where it's concerning, especially online. People just add stuff to their cart without a second thought. They don't even check the sites they order from and how much Carbon emits into the atmosphere by the shipping and transport of their order, aside from the production itself. We are absolutely allowed to buy things we want and like, not just necessities, but there is a clear line between a few funky purchases and full-on overconsupmtion and shopping addiction.

I completely agree with you. Many people don't realize the harm they are doing to our planet by buying industrially made food. I think that we should grow more food ourselves, and that way, we can take care of our planet and enjoy a delicious meal. Regarding the clothes we wear, I agree that we should shop more from second-hand shops because there are a lot of great clothes, so you can look good and reduce your carbon footprint.

You're right. Not a lot of people know just how harmful their purchases can be, whether it be food, clothes, or electronics. I think thrifting is one of the best ways to help with this problem. Me and my sister regularly to go thrift stores near us for a small electronic we want or new clothes.

I agree that although shopping can be a fun day outing we constantly overlook the destructive impacts it has on our planet. I myself love to shop, and it is a good stress reliever for me but I think shopping has normalized a culture of overlooking morality. One of the most popular stores for teenage girls to shop at is Brandy Melville, a brand that has openly presenting a fat-shaming environment fueled by it's one size fits all clothing. Fast fashion companies such as SHEIN and Temu release excess fossil fuels and carbon dioxide into the environment and exploit their workers. Nevertheless, million still flock to these stores to buy the newest trending items or for the best price. I feel like the fact that we as a society know these issues exist and still choose to shop and over-consume goods attributes to why climate change/global warming has gotten so bad today.

I agree that people buy things just for themselves, and they don't think about how if affects anything or anybody else. When most people buy things (for example clothes), they get that initial joy. But once this temporary high goes away, the object is still there and it litters the environment. People should buy things with meaning and not just to satisfy their compulsive buying habits. That's why I think thrifting is so special. Different get to enjoy the same piece of clothing, and at the same time, they get it for cheaper and higher quality.

Consumers are always obsessed with the latest fashion trends and newest clothing items, but most of the time fail to realize what goes into creating the items they wear and own. People do not take into consideration the production of the good and how damaging the manufacturing process is to the environment.For example, clothing production use excessive amounts of water. Additionally, once trends fade and the hottest clothing style isn't as relevant anymore, these clothes get thrown away, contributing to large landfill dumps. The materials used in these clothing items take hundreds of years to biodegrade and are extremely damaging. Popular fast fashion brands (ex: Shein, Zara, H&M), produce clothes faster than consumers can buy, causing more than half of the clothes to end up in the dumps. Often times, purchasing new clothes is not even a NEED it is a WANT. If a person has clothes in their closet that fit them, there is really no need to go out and buy new clothing items, just for them to be worn once and then thrown away. Overall, Fast Fashion and Overconsumption negatively impact the environment.

I believe it comes down to want and needs at the end of the day, because we need minimal things to survive, yet what we want is so much more. For example, we only need 10-15 minute showers, but what we want is a long 30-minute shower. In addition, all we need is just some simple warm clothes, but we want 20 to 30 dollar new clothes from a new brand. If one day we learn to separate our wants and our needs and only take what we need we might just be able to make a real difference in our world. I have many things that I think I need or just want, and if I learn to cut that out of my life I could live more resourcefully and build a more sustainable environment.

Plane flights increase our carbon footprint much more than other things, and it is also very popular to go on multiple flights a year. We need to find a solution to reduce flight carbon production, or as a society take less flights in general. Is travel a want or a need? Of course travel is a great experience, but at what cost?

What makes an electronic a want or a need? I think no electronics are truly needed, but it's just normal to have electronics like televisions, ovens, and more. While a "want" would be something such as a videogame console, or an Alexa. What are some electronics you would truly consider to be a necessity, and how could CO2 from electronics be lessened?

I believe that technology has become a really important thing in today's world. I believes phones are the single most important thing in the world because of how much we fall back on technology. it could be better if we reuse more energy. we can lessen Co2 emmisions if we start to unplug phones and laptops when they are at a reasonable charge and not using them. we can also properly recycle E-waste such as chargers and old batteries.

We often go into the stores not needing to buy anything, but just for the satisfaction of seeing new things and wondering if we should buy it or not. When you are asking yourself this question, you should ask yourself this aswell: 1. Will I use it in a year or two? If the answer is no, you should put it back. 2. Do I really need it or am I fine without it? If you can live happily and find a cheaper/more sustainable alternative, you don't need the product. This can apply to clothes, toys, gadgets and such. By leaving that item in the store you are sending a message that the product is not needed in such a large amount, and the makers of that item will stop making it in such a large amount and they will reduce our carbon footprint.

Se have to start to recognize  our needs and our wants. Our NEEDS can be:
  ~If our shoes rip,se have tò buy new ones
  ~ We have to buy food,but especially the healthy ones because they're the ones we really need tò live a healthy life
  ~If our clothes rip or start having holes in them,then we need to buy new ones
•The shoes or the clothes we buy don't have to be expensive because the price of the clothing we're wearing doesn't define what type of person we are! And in the end it doesn't matter the brand of the clothing we're wearing beacause the materials are almost always the same.
WANTS:
  ~a new phone even tho our actual one still works well
  ~buying new chlothes just because we think the ones we have are boring
  ~going shopping just because we don't have what to do.
•We don't have to spend money just because we can!
|•|Understanding what out needs and wants are can temperate us so we don't polute the environment we live in and start a better life plan for our future!

I think before buying anything to see if you need it at all. here’s an example Max needs to buy shampoo he sees the one his mother told him to get, but he sees the one everyone has and has been told is the best shampoo they got so he buys the more expensive shampoo in instead of the one his mother told him to buy because he thinks the more expensive on is better

I think I would agree because the difference between a want and a need is something very important because just because you want it doesn't mean it will be the most efficient and the most useful for that I need just because I could use it or it is what everybody has.

This is a good example of a want and a need. Some people want to get a soda with the money they have, but they need to get water. You have to get what you need so that you can survive. But then the environmental safety aspect comes into play so you need to get something that you can refill.

I think this sends a good message about wants and needs, and I agree with choosing a needs over a wants. But one problem I see with this is how people are attached to their wants. With how many luxury items people have, it may be difficult to remove their wants. For example, let's say Billy has a Nintendo switch and playground outside in his local park. The Nintendo switch will increase his carbon footprint but the playground will not, but for Billy it's hard to leave his Nintendo switch for the playground. The main problem is if people are willing to cut out their luxuries for lowering their carbon footprint.

The goal for luxury items and ecological footprints is not to get rid of all the things that increase your footprint, but to simply lower how often you use it. At this point of time, humanity is never going to get rid of these luxury items. Billy can simply slowly spend say thirty minutes at the park, and then the rest of his time on his switch. Every week, he can increase how often he goes to the park, perhaps liking it more. Another example of slowly getting rid of a luxury item is a car. Say Billy drives to the park. He can bike there, once a week. Then the next month, twice, and onwards. The same slow acclimation can be applied to switching diets, or really anything. Changing our world isn't going to be fast, and so is using certain things over others.

Something

Because you got to fill in the things you want to continue moving in life.

OK so here's the thing. I don't really get anything new regarding technology. I got my first phone around my 11th birthday. I'm 14 now turning 15 and my ancient IPhone SE just broke, so guess what I got? A hand me down that wasn't used except by someone else, who, just got a different phone and didn't want to use it anymore. I never had technology other than that phone of mine unless it was the school Chromebooks that I was given to protect with my life. So I never really got a new model, and if anything I got a model DOWN form my old one, if that's even possible. The phone I have now is ANCIENT, and when I say ancient, I mean it. I've never gotten the new model or anything so that really wasn't a need, it was a want. But I'm a busy person and needed to stay in contact with my family, so in a way it kind of was a need in a certain way. And if I did get an upgrade I probably wouldn't have considered the environmental impacts they had. It was something I wanted and something I had, so I would use it and not consider what it could do to the environment. If I was addicted I don't really know what I would do to get off of it. I kind of need my phone for EVERYTHING I do so it would be really hard to try to change that.

Thinking before buying something is really important as, buying things you really don't need just increases your carbon footprint which is unfair for our environment as well. Spending over your budget also can lead yourself into difficult situation. It can also put you in financial issues too so that's why making the decision "is it worth it" or "do I really need it" is a good thing to think about before making a purchase.

I agree that people should think before buying certain items, especially when items might have a large carbon footprint. For example, people should think before buying new articles of clothing because fast fashion is one of the leading causes to climate change. People don’t need new clothes, but since trends come and go quickly, people are always buying new clothes which they only wear a couple of times, and then throw out. Also, items have a carbon footprint before you even buy them. Items like clothes and exotic foods are imported from all around the world and have a large carbon footprint from being transported by boat or plane. People should think before they buy new items, not only if they truly need it or if it’s just a want, but also if the item has a large carbon footprint and if it will be put to good use by the purchaser.

I think before you go shopping you should see if it’ll affect your day-to-day life.  Like let’s say clothes, if you don’t see yourself wearing this commonly (Besides suits and dresses) why waste your money or time?  Or food, if you're not going to eat it, why get it?  That’s why you shouldn't go shopping when you're hungry.

I feel like humans want to buy things that are their wants and cause them to impulsively buy an item but that really is just a waste of money and increases your carbon footprint and if you keep impulsively buying things it could lead to overconsumption. Some good ways to be mindful about your purchases are to have a checklist and ask yourself questions to see if you really want it or not.

As teenagers we must reflect about our wants and needs, because unnecessary things will increase our carbon footprint to unhealthy levels which will lead to destruction of our earth and all living organisms. Overspending on only wants can lead to financial troubles, so spending wisely will benefit you and your bank account. Indulging in your wants can provide a sense of satisfaction and joy. however it is crucial that you find a balance between both a want and a need. Brands like amazon, nike, apple, are constantly developing new ways to hook in new shoppers and ways to get you to buy with tricks and tactics that influence your behavior is ways that you do not realize. Life on earth is not just about buying and spending but to live the life you are given to its fullest. Because in the end whoever dies with the most money and the most items do not win.

Shopping can be fun, but it can also be very harmful to the earth. Not to be offensive, but parents who spoil their children just buy whatever their children want, not thinking about the consequences. They buy them toys that they barely play with, clothes they never wear, throwing it all away in the trash. They don't think about where those things are going, possibly dumped out into the ocean, or strewn on the ground in a desolate place. But what about animals who live there? We need to think about what are actions cause us, even if they're not immediate.

Yes I agree that so many people just buy whatever they want but in the end they just end up throwing it away or never using it. To stop this I think that people could be more mindful about what they buy or maybe if they have clothes that they never use they could donate it to a charity or to goodwill.

I've actually never thought about it that way and I have to say I agree with you. We really need to put thoughts into what we buy if we also think about shoes that we buy that we sometimes don't wear can be wasted. I'm sure there are many more I will now be thinking more about what I buy  when I shop.

I agree with you because I think some animal may eat and get stuck in it .That is not good for the environment , our sea is gonna yo be with trash.

For me, I think I'll try to only go shopping for unnecessary things once every 1-3 months. (Is that still a lot?)

I agree and we have to think before we buy

People never seem to think about what their purchases could do to the environment or will they even use them at all. People should actually think if they need something when at the check out line. All people should get to get items that they enjoy but that should not come at the cost of Earth.

Also, I will try not to eat too much processed foods, and more organic, fresh foods.

I agree it has been a problem on youtube videos I see with YouTubers where the buy random stuff to look cool  and do nothing with it but some give it away like useful things !!

That's pretty cool!

Yes i agree, we should only be buying things that are needed. Especially with our clothes we should just be getting the necessary clothes for a week and buy new items when needed. Or even hand me downs are also good to get from relatives or even friends. I believe whenever you buy something i think everyone should just think about it first like how often are you going to use this item? Or is this something i actually need or could i save this money for other things like food.

Yes I agree buying new stuff lots has a huge impact on our earth. Maybe as a population when we are wanting a new clothing item we can look is thrift stores and buy second hand. This will help us reuse thing instead of getting thrown out.

i completely agree with this, buying new clothes or toys we don’t really need is really wasteful and not a good idea for our environment. especially if it is something you know you don’t need and will rarely use but are just but buying it for the sake of buying something. a great way to stop doing this is going to yard sales or getting hand me downs or even going to thrift stores, this can help our environment because less waste will be getting thrown into land fill and more things getting reused. another great thing to do is sewing your own clothes, even though the idea might seem daunting at first it really isn’t too difficult once you learn how. trucking clothes or making your own is also a great idea for saving your money to be able to buy things you really need later.

is it a want or a need bruh.

A want or a need and deciding between both can be a struggle for many people. A want is something that will enhance our quality of life and is not required to live. Food, Water, Space, shelter, these are needs that are requirements for survival and our own well-being. A want may improve your life and make you feel good or better once you have it but it will not stop you from starving or give you enough shelter or space to live in. Understanding the differences between these two can better deepen our choices that we make. Balancing wants and needs is crucial for overall happiness and decision making