Climate Change and Responsible Consumption
From Crisis to Conscious Consumer Choices
- 2026
- Book
- Authors
- Asta Mikalauskienė
- Dalia Štreimikienė
- Ignas Mikalauskas
- Book Series
- Springer Climate
- Publisher
- Springer Nature Switzerland
About this book
This book explores the impact of our consumption habits on the planet and how global crises can transform them. Connecting climate policy, sustainable development, and consumer behavior, it offers a clear framework for understanding responsible consumption. Additionally, the book examines EU climate targets, circular economy principles, and the role of digital commerce in shaping environmental outcomes.
Through an analysis of five major global crises ranging from the 1973 oil shock to the current climate emergency, the book illustrates how recent disruptions, such as the pandemic and the Russo-Ukrainian War, can prompt more conscientious choices while revealing the obstacles to lasting change. With real-world case studies and evidence-based policy insights, the book provides researchers, policymakers, and individuals interested in climate action with theoretical insights and practical tools.
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Table of Contents
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Frontmatter
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Chapter 1. Climate Change and Policies to Mitigate Climate Change
Asta Mikalauskienė, Dalia Štreimikienė, Ignas MikalauskasClimate change is a pressing global issue with far-reaching consequences for the planet and its inhabitants. This chapter delves into the scientific consensus on the accelerating rate of global warming, driven primarily by human activities such as the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation. It explores the natural and anthropogenic causes of climate change, highlighting the role of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide in trapping heat and altering the Earth's climate system. The chapter also examines the impacts of climate change on ecosystems, human health, and the economy, emphasizing the urgent need for mitigation and adaptation strategies. Furthermore, it discusses the European Union's ambitious climate change mitigation targets and policies, including the European Green Deal and the Circular Economy Action Plan, which aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, promote renewable energy, and foster sustainable development. The chapter concludes with a call for immediate and collective action to combat climate change and ensure a sustainable future for all.AI Generated
This summary of the content was generated with the help of AI.
AbstractClimate change has become one of the defining global challenges of our time. The warming of the planet is no longer a distant threat but an observable and measurable process that is already transforming natural systems and human life. This chapter discusses the underlying causes and consequences of climate change, paying particular attention to the interplay between natural factors and human-induced activities. While natural processes such as volcanic eruptions, solar radiation cycles, and orbital variations have always influenced the Earth’s climate, the rapid increase in greenhouse gas emissions caused by industrialization, energy production, and land-use change has accelerated global warming to unprecedented levels. The chapter explains how carbon dioxide, methane, and other gases intensify the greenhouse effect and disturb the planet’s energy balance. Using data and figures, it illustrates long-term trends in temperature rise, sea-level increase, and greenhouse gas concentrations, revealing their cumulative effects on ecosystems and societies. The text also introduces the main indicators used to monitor climate change, including surface temperature, ocean conditions, and land cover alterations. Furthermore, the chapter highlights the European Union’s approach to climate mitigation and adaptation, reflecting its policy evolution toward a sustainable, low-carbon future. By linking scientific understanding with policy frameworks, the discussion underlines that addressing climate change requires not only technological and economic adjustments but also strong political commitment and international cooperation. Ultimately, the chapter argues that climate change mitigation is not just an environmental necessity but a shared responsibility for humanity’s long-term well-being. -
Chapter 2. Climate Change and Responsible Consumption
Asta Mikalauskienė, Dalia Štreimikienė, Ignas MikalauskasThis chapter delves into the principles of sustainable development, emphasizing the integration of economic, social, and environmental dimensions. It explores the historical evolution of sustainable development, from early environmental awareness to the adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The text highlights key principles such as intergenerational equity, the precautionary principle, and inclusivity and participation. It also discusses the challenges and criticisms of sustainable development, including economic, social, political, and environmental barriers. The chapter concludes with strategies to accelerate progress toward the SDGs and overcome barriers to sustainable consumption. Readers will gain insights into the multifaceted nature of sustainable development and its crucial role in addressing global challenges.AI Generated
This summary of the content was generated with the help of AI.
AbstractSustainable development has become a cornerstone of global policy and academic discourse in the twenty-first century. It addresses the complex challenge of balancing economic growth, social well-being, and environmental protection. As the world faces escalating ecological degradation, inequality, and resource depletion, the urgency for sustainable solutions has intensified. The emergence of global environmental awareness in the 1960s and 1970s laid the foundation for the current sustainability movement. Influential works, such as Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring, and high-profile events, including the Cuyahoga River fire and the Santa Barbara oil spill, triggered widespread public concern. These developments catalyzed the creation of environmental regulations, institutions, and advocacy movements. The Brundtland Report (1987) was a pivotal milestone, introducing the formal definition of sustainable development and highlighting the need for integrated approaches. Since then, international summits have further institutionalized the concept, leading to the establishment of global development frameworks.In 2015, the United Nations adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, comprising 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These goals provide a comprehensive and universal roadmap for addressing interconnected global challenges.This chapter explores the theoretical foundations, evolution, principles, and critiques of sustainable development. It also analyzes the structure and relevance of the SDGs in advancing global sustainability. Through a multidisciplinary lens, the chapter examines how sustainable development serves as a strategic framework for harmonizing ecological, social, and economic priorities. Particular attention is given to the integration principle, intergenerational equity, and the precautionary approach. By tracing the historical development of the sustainability discourse, the chapter highlights how global consensus has been shaped by science, policy, and social movements. Finally, it underscores the importance of addressing implementation barriers to ensure that the promise of sustainable development translates into tangible outcomes. -
Chapter 3. Responsible Consumption
Asta Mikalauskienė, Dalia Štreimikienė, Ignas MikalauskasThis chapter delves into the concept of responsible consumption, highlighting its importance in today's world. It explores the environmental perspective, emphasizing the need to minimize ecological harm and promote sustainability. The economic perspective is also discussed, focusing on supporting ethical and sustainable businesses. The social justice perspective underscores the importance of fair labor practices and equitable treatment in the supply chain. Additionally, the ethical and moral perspective encourages consumers to make choices that respect human rights, animal welfare, and environmental sustainability. The personal health and well-being perspective emphasizes the importance of choosing products that promote individual and community well-being. The chapter also discusses the historical evolution of responsible consumption and its link to climate change, providing a comprehensive overview of the topic. By reading this chapter, professionals will gain a deeper understanding of responsible consumption and its various dimensions, enabling them to make more informed and sustainable choices in their personal and professional lives.AI Generated
This summary of the content was generated with the help of AI.
AbstractThe idea of responsible consumption has become increasingly important as societies face the combined challenges of environmental degradation, climate change, and social inequality. This chapter discusses what it actually means to consume responsibly and why this concept is central to achieving sustainable development. It begins by outlining how consumption patterns have evolved together with economic growth and how these changes have affected the environment. The chapter then turns to the values and motivations that guide consumer behavior, emphasizing that responsibility involves not only individual awareness but also the broader social and institutional context in which people make choices. Attention is given to the role of education, communication, and access to reliable information in shaping more sustainable habits. The text also explores the contribution of digital technologies that make it easier for consumers to understand product impacts and to participate in sharing or circular economy initiatives. At the policy level, the discussion highlights how the European Union and international frameworks promote responsible consumption through resource efficiency, waste prevention, and support for sustainable business models. Yet, despite growing awareness, progress remains uneven. Economic pressures, convenience, and limited availability of sustainable alternatives often stand in the way of lasting behavioral change. Through this analysis, the chapter argues that responsible consumption cannot rely on moral appeals alone—it requires structural support, market innovation, and a cultural shift toward valuing sufficiency over excess. Ultimately, it suggests that responsible consumption should be seen as an evolving social practice that connects individual choices with collective responsibility for a fair and resilient future. -
Chapter 4. Global Crises and Their Influence on Responsible Consumption
Asta Mikalauskienė, Dalia Štreimikienė, Ignas MikalauskasAbstractThis chapter explores how major global crises have shaped the understanding and practice of responsible consumption from the 1970s to the present day. It examines four critical moments—the 1973 Oil Crisis, the 2008 Global Financial Crisis, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the Russo-Ukrainian War—each of which disrupted established consumption norms and revealed new forms of awareness and adaptation. The discussion begins with the oil shocks of the 1970s, when rising energy prices exposed the fragility of industrial societies built on cheap fossil fuels. What started as a geopolitical conflict evolved into a turning point for energy-conscious behavior, encouraging efficiency, restraint, and the first serious discussions about sustainability. The analysis then moves to the financial collapse of 2008, which challenged consumer confidence and values more than material access itself. As jobs and savings disappeared, consumption slowed, and many people began to question habits of excess. In its aftermath, local exchange networks, solidarity economies, and fair-trade movements gained ground, suggesting a moral reorientation toward fairness and sufficiency. The COVID-19 pandemic brought another rupture—one that redefined what was “essential.” Lockdowns reshaped consumption geographically and psychologically: from global supply chains to local stores, from abundance to resilience, from convenience to care. Digitalization accelerated, but so did reflections on fragility, interdependence, and the meaning of responsible living. The chapter concludes with the ongoing effects of the Russo-Ukrainian war, which reignited debates about energy dependence and ethical consumption across Europe. As households faced soaring costs, conservation became not only practical but also civic—a form of solidarity tied to democratic values and energy autonomy. Taken together, these crises show that responsible consumption rarely emerges from comfort or prosperity; it often grows out of disruption. Each shock forced societies to reconsider the relationship between need and want, between individual action and collective survival. The chapter argues that crises, while destabilizing, also open moral and structural spaces where responsibility, restraint, and cooperation can take root—and perhaps endure.
- Title
- Climate Change and Responsible Consumption
- Authors
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Asta Mikalauskienė
Dalia Štreimikienė
Ignas Mikalauskas
- Copyright Year
- 2026
- Publisher
- Springer Nature Switzerland
- Electronic ISBN
- 978-3-032-16218-2
- Print ISBN
- 978-3-032-16217-5
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-032-16218-2
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