Sixteenth International Conference on Environmental, Cultural, Economic & Social Sustainability

Abstract

The world is facing pressing issues like consumerism, rampant plastic usage, resource overuse, and increasing carbon footprint. Upon years of researching why even after being aware of these issues, the problem still seems far from being solved, my findings revealed that convenience plays a major role in our decision-making. Viewing it through a personal lens and incorporating theories from behavioural sciences, the paper explores the subconscious patterns of convenience and how we can become more aware of ourselves, to make more mindful choices. It started with me, observing my routine and the way I approached situations, observing certain patterns, and my reactions. Could there have been a better alternative? I supported these questions with science. Slowly, the research grew outward to observing and understanding people and the context they are in when making a conscious decision. The human being is doing certain things subconsciously, without giving it much thought, but its having a huge impact on the planet and our resources. As Pinchbeck (2017) posited, “If we are going to avoid the most catastrophic outcome, social behaviour needs to change”. My research attempts to provide a solution to how an individual, through slight behavioural changes, can make a difference and contribute to a better world without compromising on his needs and wants for certain things in life. It provided solutions to tackle convenience in everyday life in different contexts like travelling, dining out, at parties and weddings, in hospitals, at conferences and business meetings, stay in hotels, etc.