All of us know how it feels to be in the middle of a buying spree. On the one hand you feel happy about having bought something new and on the other hand there is bad conscience, to be a consuming fetishist, to be a ConsuManiac! We remember the latest reports about child labour and the sins of diverse trademarks and ask ourselves: do I really need this product? Is there an environmentally sustainable alternative? And must there always be consume to feel better? Is there another – more sustainable - lifestyle that makes me feel good? What is a sustainable lifestyle?
The interactive online tool ConsuManiac focusses on sustainable and conscious decisions for daily shopping. But further the online tool presents ideas and examples about how to combine lust for life and activity with sustainable development in a playful way. Actual trends like Upcycling, DIY, sharing and trade-off give first insight in a movement that is in contrast to common daily consuming behaviour. The online tool ConsuManiac aims to present a sustainable way of living that will be required in the future and is also able to bring enjoyment to individuals.
The accompanying booklet provides didactic material for students aged between 15 to 19 years. It is supporting the work with the online tool and enables teachers to intensively work out the topics lifestyle, sustainability and alternatives to consume. The material is build up in modules and can be adapted to the needs of the respective group in a very flexible way. It can be used in project-based learning arrangements and facilitates self-reliant learning of students.