Buy Nothing Day 2007

galway | consumer issues | event notice Wednesday November 14, 2007 17:18 by gníomhaí

Sat. 24th of Nov.

International Buy Nothing Day is happening on Saturday 24th of Nov. in Galway and around the world.
It's a time when we are encouraged to reflect on what we buy, whether we really need it and to try to buy locally and ethically. Mindless consumerism is killing society and the planet....

Every year in Galway free events take place (this year in Bridge Mills in the Galway One World Centre - 2nd floor and in Shop St.) such as a trade and barter fair, free films and street theatre.

Phone 086 39 71 244 for more details and to help out. Help is always needed....

Events:
Street theatre: 2pm on Shop St. (to coincide with 'Food not bombs')

Bridge mills 2nd floor GOWC: 2pm - 5pm: Trade and barter fair

Bridge Mills: 5pm - late Free films! 'Century of the Self', 'Affluenza', 'Stealing the Nation' (Pilger) and more.....

Last year a bit of controversy was whipped up by the media- that some local traders saw the day as a threat to their livelihoods! We are very much in favour of local (especially small) traders. It is not per se about buying absolutely nothing on the day- it is more about considering carefully at all times what we buy, to greatly reduce the amount of things we purchase and to change the manner in which we consume.

There exist alternatives to mindless consumerism - reuse and repair things, buy second hand, buy locally, ecologically, become more self sufficient and make your own products, food and presents.

It is no accident that the day takes place on one of the busiest shopping days of the year - hopefully some people will think twice about spending a fortune on presents for Xmas and resist going deeply in debt to pay off credit card bills.