Abstract
This article criticises the notion that critical/political/ethical consumerism
can solve issues related to sustainability and food production. It does this
by analysing the complexity of the concept of sustainability as related to food
choices. The current trend of pursuing a sustainable food production through critical
purchase decisions rather than through regulation is shown to be problematic, as
shopping for a more sustainable food system might be much harder than initially
believed due to the conflicting values and inherent trade-offs entailed in the different
notions of sustainability. Thus, critical consumerism may give way to false
expectations as the complexity of choices transpires. One obvious way out is to let
decisions regarding food choices be made earlier in the food production chain as
well as through new modes of governance engaging members of civil society in
their capacity as citizens rather than consumers. This entails complementing society’s
reliance on critical consumerism with a citizen-oriented and political process
in support of making more sustainable food choices.
Original language | English |
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Journal | Journal of Agricultural and Environmental Ethics |
Volume | 29 |
Issue number | 1 |
Pages (from-to) | 81-102 |
ISSN | 1187-7863 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2016 |
Keywords
- Climate change
- Food production
- Critical/political/ethical consumerism
- Sustainability