Energy Crisis & Consumerist Culture: Applying Sociological Perspectives

Abstract

Every year we celebrate December 14 as World Energy Conservation day, however the deliberations in academic and diplomatic discussions have not yielded the desired results in terms of conservation of energy resources in the world. On the other hand, the energy requirements of the world are supposed to rise in future and so is the need for efficient use as well as conservation of the available resources of energy. The amount of energy to be used, the type of resources to be harnessed and the pattern of unorganised or organised distribution of the energy are largely determined by the culture of the societies. The argument put forth in this research paper is that the rising consumer culture in modern societies is leading towards reckless use of energy resources. There is a dire need for refocusing on the critical theories that target the capitalist model of development and try to understand the forces which undermine the critical thinking skills of the individuals. The goal of energy conservation is very difficulttte achieved in the culture of consumerism. This article thus questions the energy scenario of the world based upon the Conflict and Critical perspectives in sociology.