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CONSUMERISM

Consumerism, according to its textbook definition, is the human desire to own and obtain products and goods in excess of one's basic needs. Basic needs typically refer to having sufficient food, clothing and shelter.

The only real benefit of consumerism is to improve the economy. When a greater proportion of citizens buy goods and services in excess of their needs, they consume more, and that can create a cycle of demand leading to greater production and to greater employment.

However, the rise of consumerism has had a detrimental impact on the planet. For example, clothes and apparel from the fashion and textiles industries are made using extensive amounts of water, energy, chemicals and raw materials , all of which place heavy demands on Earth's natural resources.