Overconsumption: meaning, definitions and examples

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overconsumption

 

[ ˌoʊvərkənˈsʌmpʃən ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

economic behavior

Overconsumption refers to the excessive use of resources or goods beyond what is sustainable or necessary. This phenomenon can lead to depletion of natural resources, increased waste, and environmental degradation. Overconsumption often occurs in consumer cultures where the desire for more leads individuals and societies to prioritize immediate gratification over long-term sustainability. Addressing overconsumption requires a shift in individual habits as well as broader social changes.

Synonyms

excess consumption, overuse, wastefulness

Examples of usage

  • Overconsumption of fossil fuels contributes to climate change.
  • The overconsumption of fast fashion leads to significant environmental damage.
  • Many health issues arise from the overconsumption of sugar and processed foods.

Translations

Translations of the word "overconsumption" in other languages:

🇵🇹 superconsumo

🇮🇳 अधिक उपभोग

🇩🇪 Überkonsum

🇮🇩 konsumsi berlebihan

🇺🇦 надмірне споживання

🇵🇱 nadmierna konsumpcja

🇯🇵 過剰消費

🇫🇷 surconsommation

🇪🇸 sobreconsumo

🇹🇷 aşırı tüketim

🇰🇷 과소비

🇸🇦 الاستهلاك المفرط

🇨🇿 překonzumace

🇸🇰 nadmerná spotreba

🇨🇳 过度消费

🇸🇮 prekomerna potrošnja

🇮🇸 ofneysla

🇰🇿 артық тұтыну

🇬🇪 მეტისმეტური მოხმარება

🇦🇿 artıq istehlak

🇲🇽 sobreconsumo

Word origin

The term 'overconsumption' emerges from the prefix 'over-', meaning excessively or too much, combined with the word 'consumption', which comes from the Latin 'consumere', meaning to use up or waste. The concept found prominence in the 20th century, particularly as industrialization and consumerism surged. Over time, it has become a critical topic in discussions about environmental sustainability, economic ethics, and public health. The awareness of the consequences related to overconsumption has grown, leading to various movements advocating for minimalism and conscious consumer behavior. With the advent of technology and globalization, the impacts of overconsumption are now studied in relation to global resource distribution and ecological footprints.