Taiga Company

Sustainability has historically been discussed as an important economic, political, and social issue.  The traditional economic conversations have been primarily discussed on a grand scale, with individual impacts raised up to only a broad social level.  However, global consumer eco awareness and shifts in preferences have given the individual a bigger role in the conversation.

The concept of personal sustainability has made its way into the discussion with growing consumer demand and an exploding market for alternative products and services.  The market response to this bottom up movement has added a new twist to the sustainability conversation.

In addition, the current economic climate has raised some questions about the consumer economics of sustainability.  For many individuals and families, the cost of continuing to ‘go green’ has become a real concern.  This economic uncertainty has raised some concerns about the impacts to the supply and demand for sustainable options.  As a personal consultant, I work with the questions daily:

•    Will the supply of sustainable options continue to be strong?
•    Will price increases for sustainable options slow consumer demand?
•    Will the decrease in disposable income slow consumer spending for sustainable goods?
•    Will the availability of alternatives decrease with a slowing consumer demand?
•    Will we still afford to make the changes in our life?

In a recent post, Is Green is Here to Stay, we discussed the future of ‘green’ in business and daily living.  The research shows that business sustainability initiatives and ‘green’ product offerings are in fact on the rise.  In addition, consumer behavior has not been dramatically affected and individuals continue to seek out sustainable products and raise their expectations.

By incorporating sustainability concepts into daily living, individuals are not only promoting eco awareness but also directly impacting their wallet.  This continuous cycle of consumer expectation and business response is driving change.

As a sustainability consultant, I view sustainability and personal value to be closely linked.  The pursuit of a sustainable lifestyle or simply incorporating sustainability concepts into your current life is in direct alignment with saving money.  Taiga Company offers personal consulting that can help you build a personal sustainability plan that is right for you.