Appetite Quote by John Kenneth Galbraith
“If we are concerned about our great appetite for materials, it is plausible to decrease waste, to make better use of stocks available, and to develop substitutes. But what about the appetite itself? The major cause of the continued deterioration of the global environment is the unsustainable pattern of consumption and production, particularly in industrialised countries”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Affluent Society, 1958
Material appetite drives environmental decline; reducing consumption is key, not just waste.
In simple terms: Overconsumption harms the planet; curb desire.
Key Takeaway
Shift values from consumption to sustainability.
Themes
environment
economics
consumption
policy
Mood
analytical
urgent
Type
academic
policy
When to use this quote
- government policy
- consumer education
- corporate strategy
Key Concepts
sustainability
behavioral economics
Questions to Reflect On
- How can societies lower material cravings?
- What incentives reduce wasteful consumption?
A Different Perspective
Changing habits is harder than technology.
