America as a nation is very materialistic which can be detrimental to the environment. In our society, we value who has the latest iPhone or fashion over the health of our planet.  We have a very hard time distinguishing between wants and needs, personally, I think that I can do this better as well specifically with buying new devices when my old ones still work. As a nation, we need to learn the differences between wants and needs and reinforce those ideas at a young age to raise a more renewable generation.

I totally agree with you when you said that Americans need to recognize the difference between wants and needs because on the surface this seems like a simple thing to do however it may not be. Many people sort of brainwash themselves into thinking that many superfluous things are, in fact, needs rather than wants. I think this partially springs from the way we talk, not only to each other but even to our selves. I have heard countless times people saying "I NEED that new (fill in the blank... phone, jacket, pants)" and it may just sound like a joke are a harmless exaggeration but the frequency with which we say it may actually be tricking us into believing that it is, in fact, something that we need. And that is quite harmful to the environment in my opinion.