Are We Really Leaving a Better World for the Next Generation?

Are We Really Leaving a Better World for the Next Generation?

March 18, 2025

After watching Netflix's documentary Buy Now: The Shopping Conspiracy and revisiting Wall-E on Disney Plus, I can’t help but wonder: Are we truly leaving the world in a better state for future generations? The hard truth is, every generation seems to struggle with this same challenge, and despite all our advancements, we seem to be failing.

The documentary exposes how consumerism drives us to buy more than we need, while Wall-E paints a dystopian future where human excess has left Earth uninhabitable. Sadly, these aren’t just exaggerated cautionary tales—they’re eerily close to reality. Look at the pollution devastating the waters and beaches of countries like Ghana, Thailand, and many others across Africa and Asia. Hurricanes and tsunamis reveal just how much waste has accumulated in our oceans. Cities like Mexico City suffer from extreme air pollution, and the rapid, unchecked manufacturing in places like China is making both the environment and people sick.

Yet, as a first-world nation, we continue our cycle of consumption. We buy new clothes, shoes, vehicles, and gadgets—not because we need them, but because they’re marketed to us as necessities. We fill our homes with things we rarely use, designing entire rooms around hobbies like gaming, sneaker collections, or tech setups filled with the latest and greatest devices. While it’s easy to point fingers at corporations for pushing excessive consumerism, we must also take responsibility for our choices.

Perhaps our struggle to be better stewards of the planet stems from a deeper spiritual issue. As humans, we often fall short of achieving true goodness—because without God, we will never reach that level of selflessness and care that the world desperately needs. If we don’t change, we may one day see the U.S. suffer the same environmental degradation that many other parts of the world already face.

What Can We Do to Make a Better Impact?

Instead of following corporate narratives about how to “save the planet” while still pushing for consumption, we need to take real, tangible steps. Here are a few ways we can start making a difference:

1. Use more cardboard, less plastic. Plastic pollution is one of the biggest threats to our environment. Opt for biodegradable or recyclable materials whenever possible.

2. Reduce water waste. Be mindful of how much water we use daily—from shorter showers to fixing leaks and using water-efficient appliances.

3. Only buy what we truly need. Instead of indulging in impulse buys, focus on purchasing necessities and items that serve a long-term purpose.

4. Use products until their true end of life. Too often, we replace items that are still functional simply because a new version is available. Maximize the lifespan of your belongings before replacing them.

5. Embrace minimalism and avoid materialism. The less we consume, the more we save—not just money, but also resources that could be used for future generations.

We’re all guilty of overconsumption in one way or another. But acknowledging the problem is the first step toward change. If we truly care about the legacy we leave behind, we need to instill better habits in ourselves and the next generation—habits that prioritize sustainability over convenience, stewardship over excess, and wisdom over mindless consumption. The time to start is now.