The Day the World Stops Shopping

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We can't stop shopping, yet we must, facing a consumer dilemma. The economy demands constant consumption, where even a slight decrease leads to unemployment and foreclosures. Meanwhile, the planet suffers from our excessive consumption, with Americans depleting resources at five times the Earth's regenerative rate. Despite efforts to 'green' our habits through recycling and energy efficiency, global carbon emissions remain unchanged. Acclaimed journalist J. B. MacKinnon confronts this paradox by exploring what would happen if we stopped shopping altogether. He investigates whether it's possible to reduce consumption to sustainable levels without causing economic collapse, traveling from big-box stores in America to hunter-gatherer cultures in Namibia and sustainable communities in Ecuador. The onset of the coronavirus halted shopping, providing a real-time test of his ideas. Drawing insights from experts in climate change and economics, MacKinnon examines how living with less could transform our planet, society, and individual lives. He reveals the potential benefits of this shift: improved physical and emotional wellness, greater appreciation for our possessions, and deeper connections with nature and each other. Imaginative and inspiring, the exploration encourages envisioning a different way forward.