As we all know, SDGs aim for a better life ahead with its 17 values, and one of the matters that become the focus on the target is to ensure sustainable consumption and production schemes. This particular objective refers to SDGs point 12, “Responsible Consumption and Production,” for lessening the amount of overconsumption that is taking place in almost every region. Even though the earth has served us plenty of resources, the excessive amount of people consuming natural resources has proven that we still can’t utilize them with high responsibility. Hence, it triggers the hike of global warming and air pollution on the earth.

What is overconsumption?

Every individual has an inclination to spend money and time to satisfy their desires, consisting of water, food, etc. However, despite the fact that consumptive action is a human thing, there are nonetheless many of those who devour excessively or even scramble to get an item only for their very own satisfaction. This action is known as overconsumption. As a result, humans no longer understand the significance of restricting consumptive behavior, then some countries will lack natural resources and could affect the earth. 

Why can there be a hassle of overconsumption? 

Knowing the numerous forms of troubles that will arise if immoderate intake action continues, we all should understand the reasons for excessive consumption behavior. In general, overconsumption is pushed through a number of things in the present-day worldwide economy. To prevent overconsumption, we need to know what activities lead to excessive consumption in the world and even in Indonesia itself.

• Overconsumption in Global Scale 

Every country will essentially take advantage of its natural assets for the benefit of the state. However, there are still a few nations that are greedy in making use of the natural resources of their regions to gain maximum profit. One of the most common examples we hear about in Indonesia is the large-scale logging of forests, after which the woodland is used as a residential area, or all the wood is used for numerous forms of goods. Suppose the act of exploiting natural resources occurs without any boundary to stop the countries. In that case, it eventually will harm the ecosystem, damage the balance of the environment, and worsen global warming on the planet.

• Overconsumption in Indonesia 

Apart from being on a global scale, excessive consumptive behavior can also be found around us. One example is the overconsumption behavior that has been happening in a pandemic, which takes place due to an immoderate worry of running out of resources. Hence, people tend to panic-buying items for their personal good. At the start of the pandemic in Indonesia, people flocked to buy masks, hand sanitizers, and disinfectants to prevent contamination of the Covid-19 virus. This causes high demand from the community, which leads to overproduction and overconsumption. Excessive medical items only by one party will make the other families not get their share. 

Seeing the various issues that will happen, we must begin to prevent overconsumption. Although it can not be eliminated entirely, we can lessen those activities by doing simple things first. We ought to be aware of this particular problem because it has already been said as one of the worldwide troubles for now. We have to discover ways to use and convey sustainable approaches to oppose the damage we have inflicted on the planet. 

We can start prioritizing the things we actually need over those that are not really important or things that can still be obtained in the future. Think approximately how a lot of that stuff is crucial to your survival, how a lot is essential for your happiness and comfort, and what is simply extra or luxuries. We can discover ways to be satisfied with less than abundant things. With this step, we can increase the awareness of our close family and friends to the broader community. Slowly but surely, more people will understand the significance of avoiding overconsumption behavior.

Enough stalling. Let’s start contributing for a brighter future ahead!

Writer: Putri Hanin

Editor: Hasna F