eco nomics

uncovering the hidden costs

of everyday consumption

meet joe.

joes an

average guy

trying to make the

right choices...

for his

family...

and his

pocketbook.

in a single year,

joe will spend

$25,000

on consumer goods and energy

and consume

$100,000

worth of natural resources.

joe pays

for the products

he uses...

but is he paying the

of consumption

what about the

costs?

costs

from pollution & contaminants

costs
from disaster and pollution cleanup
& lost natural resources

costs

for oil & agribusiness subsidies

military costs

for energy & food security

what would the

true cost

of products be...

if their pricetags
reflected the

costs?

gasoline

the cost of filling up

retail cost

$43.73
hidden costs

total cost

$232.11

whats hidden?

environmental, healthcare, subsidies, security, and other traffic-related costs

hidden costs

gasoline

plastic kids toy

made in china

retail cost

$1.99

hidden costs

total cost

$3.94
whats hidden?

environmental costs for the oil needed to ship the toy

cheeseburger
the hidden cost of beef

retail cost

$1.99

hidden costs

total cost

$3.00
whats hidden?

environmental costs from the production of beef

bottled water
the true cost of convenience

retail cost

$2.50

hidden costs

total cost

$5.23
whats hidden?

environmental costs from the use of oil to produce and ship the plastic bottles

home electricity
a months supply

retail cost

$351

hidden costs

total cost

$784
whats hidden?

environmental costs from the use of coal power

in a nation of

304 million...

costs

add up.

$1.69 trillion
hidden costs

$513 billion
annual U.S. consumption

of gas

$338
billion
annual U.S.
consumption of

goods made
in china

$330 billion
hidden costs

$38 billion
hidden costs

$75 billion
annual U.S. consumption

of beef

$5 billion
annual U.S. consumption

of bottled water

$5.45 billion
hidden costs

$451 billion
hidden costs

$370 billion
annual U.S consumption

of electricity

for the sake of

convenience

or a lower pricetag

today...

weve avoided

paying the

costs.

so...

who will pay

our debt?

our kids.

through
rising

healthcare
costs

and higher

taxes

to pay for
environmental cleanup,
government subsidies, and food & oil security.

and we havent
even mentioned

the things you cant put

a pricetag on...

depletion of natural resources

global warming

lower quality of life

animal & plant extinctions

so whats

an average Joe

to do?

limit your impact.

reduce your consumption
(buy used, borrow, grow your own food)
eat less meat
walk or bike instead of driving

vote with your dollars.

support eco-conscious businesses
and products
buy food from farmers markets
shop local to reduce transportation
and shipping costs

spread awareness.
talk to your family & friends about
the hidden costs of consumption
teach your kids to consume less
encourage your employer to be more
eco-conscious

your

everyday

choices

make a

difference.

think about the

costs

and make

nomical

choices.

for your

family...

and your

pocketbook.

dont forget to vote for us on slideshare!

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