THIS BLACK FRIDAY, BE A CONSCIOUS CONSUMER
This Black Friday, we’re encouraging a shift toward conscious consumption and offering simple, sustainable alternatives. By pausing, choosing thoughtfully, and understanding the true cost of what we buy, we can all help reduce pressures on the natural world.
Sisonke Land
What we buy—and how often we buy it—directly affects ecosystems, wildlife habitats, and the long-term health of our planet. In recent decades, global consumption has grown rapidly. One-way researchers track this trend is through Earth Overshoot Day, a metric from the Global Footprint Network. It marks the date when humanity’s demand for ecological resources exceeds what Earth can regenerate in a year. In 2024, that day arrived on August 1.
Understanding metrics like this helps us reflect on our own consumption patterns and explore choices that better support a thriving, sustainable future.
Consequences of Overconsumption
Overconsumption often drives resource extraction and habitat degradation. For example, parts of the Brazilian rainforest are cleared for lumber, mining, and agricultural development—activities that displace the wildlife that once depended on this lush ecosystem.
Fresh water use is another major concern. According to the 2025 Quantis report, the textile industry consumes 21 trillion gallons of water across its value chain. Dyeing processes often leave behind contaminated wastewater that can flow into rivers and streams, impacting species that rely on clean water.
Waste is also part of the story. Household and commercial trash typically ends up in landfills. While landfills are designed to limit groundwater contamination, leaks can still occur, allowing harmful substances to enter nearby waterways and ecosystems.
Fast fashion accounts for 8–10% of global emissions, according to the United Nations—more than aviation and shipping combined.
The good news: individual actions matter. Reusing, recycling, repairing, and composting can significantly reduce reliance on landfills and help protect wildlife and wild places.
Let’s work together to close the loop and safeguard the environment that sustains us—and countless species around the world. Our planet is finite, and conscious consumption helps ensure it remains vibrant for generations to come.
Giraffe on The Ukuwela Nature Reserve
Impala on The Greater Ukuwela Nature Reserve
Sustainable Alternatives
Below are a few ways to make more sustainable choices this Black Friday and beyond:
Fashion
Shop secondhand or thrift
Repair items whenever possible
Donate clothing rather than throwing it away
Choose quality pieces built to last instead of fast, low-cost options
Cleaning Products
Choose non-toxic, environmentally friendly brands
Electronics
Buy the software you need off the bat to prevent upgrades
Look for repairable or upgradable devices
Shop refurbished to reduce electronic waste