Buy Nothing Day

Not to rain on C’s parade (and you should definitely make an exception for White Ribbon Day), but today is Buy Nothing Day.

Started by Canadian organisation, Adbusters, the day is organised every November to counter the shopping frenzy that Americans throw themselves into on the thanksgiving day long weekend.



The Ad Busters blurb goes like this:

Every November, for 24 hours, we remember that no one was born to shop. If you’ve never taken part in Buy Nothing Day, or if you’ve taken part in the past but haven’t really committed to doing it again, consider this: 2006 will go down as the year in which mainstream dialogue about global warming finally reached its critical mass. What better way to bring the Year of Global Warming to a close than to point in the direction of real alternatives to the unbridled consumption that has created this quagmire?

Excellent, I say.



While the day started with a definite US focus, it has spread in recent years and is now celebrated by increasing numbers of people in far flung places who are concerned about the US-led direction the world is striding in.

So, buy nothing tomorrow if you can, but more importantly, think about your level of consumption generally and explore areas where you can cut back. Every little bit helps the planet and, contrary to what neoliberal economists would have you believe, won't destroy the world economy.

You can even download these groovy posters, and others too, at the site and spread the word