Christmas in the global village could be more expensive and sad – 10/17/2023 – Maria Inês Dolci

We have arrived at the world predicted by Marshall McLuhan (Canadian educator and communication theorist), that is, a global village. Everything that happens on this planet affects us directly or indirectly, including consumption patterns.

The drought in the Amazon, the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, the rains in the south of the country also impact the supply of products and services. Without information, the consumer dances.

Just check the reports from recent weeks to prove this, such as: “Historic drought in Amazonas could affect end-of-year shopping.” Yes, because the low level of the Amazon rivers makes it difficult, and even prevents in some cases, the transport of cargo, both within the state and to other regions. And the Manaus Free Trade Zone, located in this region, produces televisions, cell phones, sound and video equipment, air conditioning, microcomputers and motorcycles.

If the war between Israel and Hamas escalates to other nations in the region, mainly Iran, oil prices could reach US$150 per barrel, experts project, with negative consequences on practically all prices of products and services.

Cyclones and storms with rain and hail in southern Brazil destroyed businesses, houses, streets and even entire cities. This also has an impact on the regional economy.

The invasion of Ukraine by Russia, and the subsequent war that has lasted 17 months, has caused billions of dollars, which could be used to accentuate the tenuous global economic recovery, to be reallocated to the purchase of armaments.

And all of the things I mentioned so far have much worse, even catastrophic effects: deaths, injuries, illnesses, destruction of companies and jobs, terrible suffering.

In all the cases discussed here, they were not inevitable phenomena that produced insecurity and pain. Even excessive rains, cyclones, droughts, as well as wars, were caused by human foolishness. We continue using fossil fuels, deforesting, burning and sealing the soil with asphalt.

The citizen, who is both a consumer and a voter, can pressure governments and companies to adopt more sustainable production practices and in the infrastructure of cities, and to promote peace, not war. It is a difficult task, which requires information and mobilization. I said information, not fake news spread haphazardly on social media. Checked and proven information, with reliable sources.

It is possible that Christmas shopping will be affected, yes. But the most serious thing will be celebrating the maximum date of Christianity in a world taken by wars, and with the environment devastated.

If the picture seems overly pessimistic, I go back to the news. That’s what’s happening in this global village. Can we react? Yes. Do we have time for that? Less and less, because the damage is successively greater. As the end of the year festivities are appropriate times to take stock of our lives and plan for the future, let’s think about it. What can we do, no matter how small, to create more peace and sustainability?

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