- It may seem as though the climate crisis is only changing the way we think to a small extent but, in other parts of the world, it's entirely reshaping consumer behavior.
- In addition to "flygskam" (flight-shaming) and "smygflyga" (flying on the sly), Sweden has now designated a new term, "köpskam" to refer to the shame associated with shopping.
- According to CEO of HUI Research Jonas Arnberg, it's likely only a matter of time before the term becomes a widespread concept.
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It may seem as though the climate crisis is only changing how we think on a small scale but, elsewhere, it's entirely reshaping consumer behavior.
One of the places where trends in consumerism are seeing dramatic shifts is in Sweden — and there's a new movement closing in on the irresponsible nature of consumerism, according to an Aftonbladet report.
To add to the growing list of neologisms in Swedish used to refer to environmental issues, such as flygskam or "flight-shaming"— or for those who still travel by plane anyway, but who feel too uncomfortable to admit it, "smygflyga" meaning "flying on the sly"— there's now "köpskam too", which roughly translates to "the shame associated with shopping or consuming".
According to CEO of HUI Research Jonas Arnberg, it's likely only a matter of time before the term becomes a widespread concept.
The term, which originates in the same country as 16-year-old school striker and activist Greta Thunberg herself, is mostly used to refer to the fashion sector.
It's used primarily to refer to the lack of ecological responsibility taken when people buy excessive quantities of clothes.
According to the United Nations, the fashion industry produces more carbon emissions than all international flights and sea shipments.
As awareness of this spreads, change is taking place both in shopping and in social networks — not just in more environmentally-conscious places like Sweden but across the globe.
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There may not be a universal term for the concept yet but it certainly seems as though there could be one soon.
Keeping up with the latest trends or using your social networks to show off your latest fashion hauls may have been popular with slightly older generations but is now being seriously frowned upon by younger people, at least in Sweden.
The shame of shopping, at least where it concerns consuming products that aren't necessary or buying more than one of something, is now a growing trend in the Scandinavian country.
Read more:The UN has warned that we only have 12 years to curb climate change
Alongside this emerging "shame" trend, there has also been an increase in the purchase of second-hand clothing, both for consumers' own use as well as that of others.
Second-hand garments are no longer being considered inappropriate items to give as gifts.
In fact, many like the idea that clothing is being given a second lease of life — for many, there's also an added value associated with going to the effort of seeking out an item of clothing based on an individual's personal style, rather than conforming to the latest fashions.
While the extent to which Greta Thunberg's activism has impacted the behavior of younger people — who are thought to be predominantly responsible for the trend — is unclear, it's evident that awareness about how various industries are impacting the environment is altering the way younger consumers behave.
Read more:These are the 17 countries that have done the most to limit global warming since 2017
Even more clear is the fact that Sweden is shifting towards new patterns of behavior that are more environmentally responsible and that could completely transform the fashion, food, and transport industries.
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