Someone in the Degrowth group just asked this question. A lot of people were suggesting bans on leisure travel, certain types of consumer goods, advertising, etc.
I commented:
The last thing we did — and perhaps the ONLY thing we (collectively) did — that resulted in an immediate dramatic reduction in GHGs and eco destruction, was to shut down air travel and non-essential ground travel.  Plus reducing nonessential manufacturing helped as well.
That’s what we saw during the pandemic shutdowns.
Since no government is likely to do that again, and since even if a government were to attempt it, widespread noncompliance is likely, I believe our best hope lies in a grassroots movement de-popularizing air travel and car travel.
And popularizing the idea of minimizing travel in general. For example, contenting ourselves with annual train trip to visit family. Or else move near our family.
As part of this, popularizing living on the same continent with one’s family. De-popularizing the idea that we should continue living oceans away from our loved ones if we want to see them.
Such a grassroots movement may not seem realistic. But it is more realistic than waiting for any government to take drastic action. And, basically a grassroots movement de-normalizing consumption does exist. It just doesn’t necessarily exist as a monolith. It can be found in multiple groups, including the Degrowth group itself. And, groups such as the non-consumer advocate, journey to zero waste, etc. A lot of these people are de-normalizing USA-style consumption. And USA-style consumption (which alas has metastasized throughout much of Europe and other continents) is the main culprit of destruction on this planet.
For the past couple of decades, I have been involved in a grassroots movement to denormalize hyperconsumption of all categories.
It’s hard to measure, but it does seem like it is growing, based on the number of groups I participate in. And, positivity is contagious.
Most of the people in this movement are motivated by something more than fear. A lot of people are having fun saving money, taking back their time, reducing the hold that oppressive bosses and unnecessary consumerism-fueled chores have over them, etc.
One common misconception that holds back the anti-consumerist movement from gaining more traction more quickly, is the idea that we have to give up all treats. The truth is that (for example) personal adornment, etc. has existed in all cultures since the beginning of time. Same with a little bit of travel, various recreational substances for altering consciousness, and other pleasures.
Also:
Since I first posted a list of what I consider to be cells of the voluntary de-consumerist movement, more groups have been added.
Riot for Austerity Is the first group I found, back in I don’t know 2006-7 or something, When a friend clued me in to it.
In more recent years, I have stumbled on:
Deep Adaptation
Degrowth – it’s urgent
The Non-Consumer Advocate
Zero Waste, Zero Judgement
As well as local buy-nothing groups, etc. And Permaculture guilds, bio regionalist guilds, rewilding groups, Transition Towns etc. All of these are cells of radical thrift / de-normalizing mainstream consumerism in some form or other.
And various textile up-cycling, crafting, artisanry of all kinds, brewing, beekeeping etc. etc. — a lot of these guys are sort of unofficially going through the gate of non-consumerism.
Is everybody doing thrift in every category? No. But, what we are doing is reinforcing the validity and benefits of radical reduction. This is self reinforcing. The more aware and deliberate we become, that the task is to popularize reduction, the more quickly it will catch on.
The more mainstream environmentalist groups, on the other hand, are often busy chatting up the glories of electric cars and solar panels and all that.
Yes, it can be depressing when people in the more mainstream environmentalist groups are still talking about that hopium stuff — as well as posting about taking cruises and doing leisure flights etc. And owning houses in multiple countries etc. And, so often, nobody calls them out. In fact, most people cheer them on. And that’s in an environmentalist circle.
But, I guess we need to start being more of the somebody’s. We can support each other!
And, since a ban in advertising is very unlikely to be very easy to implement — there would be so much pushback from multi-billion dollar industries and all whose pockets they feed — we have to be the ones inoculating ourselves against the power of advertising and social norms.
For example, parents have to support and validate each other in taking anti-consumerist stances regarding raising their children.
And, we as individuals have to take our own inner selves in hand, and prioritize nurturing ourselves emotionally so that we won’t be such susceptible targets for advertising & toxic social norms. I noticed that I am less likely to engage in excess consumerism if I am spending enough time with friends, creative projects, nature (even if it’s just a short walk in a park) etc.
Thank you for starting this awesome thread!
I’m glad you mentioned the slow fashion, fiber upcycling etc. Those too are definitely a kind of Trojan horse for overall anti-consumerism. Same with groups dedicated to blacksmithing, winemaking, beekeeping etc. Like little pockets of oldtimey artisanship.
While it might not seem like they would make an immediate difference, I think that as things get popularized, there tends to be a flashpoint where it catches on like wildfire. I basically consider it an exercise in behavioral economics.
Although it’s a sad and unfortunate thing, a major factor in favor of thrift catching on like wildfire is that more and more people are becoming caught on the losing end of global economic prosperity. People have more motivation to do things like learn how to do without a car, learn how to do without air conditioning etc.
Also I meant to mention the transition towns movement. Some of these movements are quite long-standing, and I think a lot of the people in them just got tired and are welcoming an opportunity for something to reenergize them.