Sharing’s Ecological Impact/How a Lack of Trust Hampers Sharing
E911: In the book, you discuss problems with the “green economy” solution. Can you explain a bit more about that, and why a sharing economy might be more ecologically sustainable?
BB: What I came to realize after years of writing about green companies and products and brands was that while less harmful, the so-called green economy wasn’t doing anything to snap us out of our consumption coma. Sure, it’s green(er) stuff, but it’s still the idea that we can buy our way out of environmental problems. I just think that’s failed logic. It’s also not accessible to everyone. If you have limited income or live in a part of the world where there is no Whole Foods, you’re cut out. This leads to frustration, guilt, elitism, all that negative junk. However, when I started looking at the by-products of sharing — how participating in collaborative consumption in a few key ways changes our behavior — I realized that they were many of the things that the green community has been blogging about and begging people to do for years.
The green economy wasn’t doing anything to snap us out of our consumption coma. -Beth Buczynski
E911: What are a few examples of those changes?
BB: It’s still a young industry, but research has shown that car-sharing programs are instrumental in allowing people to go car-free, and that they slash greenhouse gas emissions associated with personal transportation. Same with bike sharing, which increased trips by bicycle in urban areas plagued by traffic and pollution. When it comes to stuff sharing — like peer-to-peer swapping or rentals — there’s great potential to conserve resources and extend the life cycle of the shared product. When you engage in peer-to-peer sharing, you’re also contributing to the income of a local individual or small business, boosting the local economy. There’s also evidence that the growth of the sharing economy is affecting how we design and manufacture things — instead of built-in obsolescence, technology is now being created to withstand a lifetime of sharing.
E911: Why don’t we share? What are some of the common reasons people give for not sharing?
BB: A lack of trust is No. 1. We’re skeptical of people and things we don’t know. We’ve been taught to lock our lives up tight, lest a “stranger” put their hands on our possessions. We like to be in control, and ownership provides the feeling of control. The sharing economy requires us to rethink these assumptions, which can be uncomfortable. However, once they give it a try, many people see that the benefits far outweigh the risks. Co.Exist recently ran an article about a CEO who gave up his car for car sharing. He had a great quote that sums it up well: “The new status symbol isn’t what you own — it’s what you’re smart enough not to own.”
E911: What are some actual problems or situations to be aware of?
BB: Sure, there will always be bad apples — people looking to scam or cheat the system. However, I found that in most cases, people are so eager to see these services grow and succeed, they go out of their way to be trustworthy. Those that don’t are quickly pointed out and ostracized through reviews and ratings. Many of the larger collaborative consumption companies offer insurance policies that minimize individual risk. Of course, there’s no substitute for common sense. In the book, I provide a good collection of tips for how to be a successful sharer and avoid a negative sharing experience.
Next page: Surprising ways to share and how to start now