I am looking for more examples of Japanese "Mottainai" and Sweden's Law of Jante that represent cultural traditions that have the effect of encouraging the society to prevent wasteful consumption and develop a respect for natural resources.
Jacquelyn Ottman
Founder, Principal
J. Ottman Consulting
United States
How do cultures around the world prevent waste?
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There's definitely a strong First Nations perspective that would apply to this question, both generally and within specific world views.
I spent some time in Ghana in the early 90's and found this market full of western clothes called "Obruni Wawo (sp?)" which roughly means 'dead white man's market.' When I asked why it was called that, I was told that the people who had these clothes must have died, otherwise why would they have given them away. The question, for me is, what is the tipping point that transitions a cultural shift from an embedded conservation philosophy towards 'more is more and new is better'..... just a thought.
Karen Mason-Bennett
Program Coordinator
NEAT
Canada