Although a majority of Peruvians have a basic understanding of the effects of human activity on the environment, this knowledge alone has not been enough to prompt substantial change in our lifestyles and eating habits, according to Jorge Prado, 31, and Cristina Guzman, 25, owners of Consumidor Verde in Lima.

There is ample data to show that many companies use poor (read: cheap) business practices that contaminate the environment with chemicals and waste.  And much of the food we eat is also ridden with chemicals and stripped of basic nutrients, making it worthless for our bodies. 

The idea is to create sustainable practices, both for the companies and for the consumers, Prado says.  He and Guzman began Consumidor Verde, a website and now a store in Miraflores, to raise awareness about the many environmental issues that surround our modern eating and shopping habits. 

When their original blog took off with the support of their loyal followers, they decided to start selling products through their website (and later through their store) to help Lima residents make the change to more sustainable products.

For example, they offer t-shirts made with organic cotton.  Organic cotton is grown without any chemicals so as not to damage the environment.  The dyes are also natural, which reduces irritation to the skin. 

Similar measures are taken with other products in the store, like organic coffee, chocolate and rice.  The idea is to ensure that we are not damaging the environment so that future generations will still be able to enjoy it - this is “sustainability.”  Many business practices, like the irresponsible use of resources (water, electricity, etc.) and excess waste are similarly contributing to environmental degredation, and need to be stopped.  Individual consumers have the power to send a message to these companies by purchasing alternative and safer products. 

"There is definitely a generational gap," Guzman says.  Many young people are deciding to change their lifestyles to better reflect their commitment to caring for the environment and their bodies, even though this can often clash with their parents’ generation.

“My family is from the north of Peru,” Guzman said. “They love to eat goat, for example, and I am a vegetarian! They don’t understand my decisions.” 

Many older people, Guzman said, often buy their products for health reasons when they are instructed to do so by doctors, but the environmental aspect of the eco-friendly movement is often lost on them. 

But Prado and Guzman are hopeful that things will change. 

There are now initiatives in universities popping up around Peru to motivate change in students.

“People need to be taught these things in school,” Guzman said.  “But one thing can’t go without the other. If we give people information, we have to give them options so that real change can happen.”

Learn more about how your lifestyle affects your health and the environment at Consumidor Verde’s blog. 

 

 

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