Elegant sufficiency: how young Australians are living better with less

This research explores Australian consumer society and how the pursuit of materialist lifestyles had led to a problem of wasteful consumerism. This problem amounts to an annual expenditure of $10.5 billion on goods that are not used (Hamilton et. al, 2005). Despite the urgent need for society to mitigate environmental catastrophe and shift towards a sustainable way of living, the problem of wasteful consumerism is only increasing. This research explores why this is the case through an analysis of meaning and motivation for modern consumerism. To address the tension between the problem of wasteful consumerism and sustainability, this research analyses the emerging discourse on sustainable consumption lifestyles and identifies how this theory can translate to individual action.
Furthermore, this research identifies how some young people are discontent with the consumerist status quo and as such, are seeking to adopt alternative, sustainable lifestyles. To gain insights into the sustainable lifestyles of young people, fourteen individuals committed to sustainable living (aged 18-35 years) are interviewed in-depth. Their stories are analysed and constructed into lifestyle portraits. The fourteen lifestyle portraits address the three objectives for this research and identify (1) the individual motivations for living sustainably, (2a) how young people are living sustainably, through an analysis of the principles and practices they adopt and (2b) the challenges between the individuals’ consuming ideals and actions. Finally, (3) the biographical analysis explores the spheres of influence the individuals have within their families, peers and broader networks and assesses their potential to lead by example through living better with less.