Commentaries on Sustainability vs Jobs

Hello!

I'm looking for research or commentaries on how reducing consumerism is clashing with a lack of retail and manufacturing jobs. On one hand, we want people to buy fewer products that are destined for the landfill. On the other hand, we lament the loss of manufacturing and retail jobs (we don't need people to make and sell stuff that won't be purchased promptly).

Many of the articles and texts I read (I'm working my way through a World Watch text now) seem to be written by employed academics or interns who weren't expecting a paycheck. It doesn't seem to speak to or about the man who lost his manufacturing job and can no longer pay his mortgage and support his family. What message do we bring to him to inspire him to be a more discerning consumer while ensuring him a job? Retraining for zero waste factories? Certainly we can't change consumer behavior by saying, "Sorry! Too many people! No jobs for you."

I'd appreciate any resources or insight on this!

Michelle

Michelle Deets Haynes
Owner
Clarity Learning Private Tutoring
United States
Www.claritylearning.net