A sufficiency approach to reducing consumption: An exploration of minimalism, wellbeing, ecological footprint, and social influence

Abstract

Technological advances are promoted as a solution to climate change but will be insufficient. Demand-side solutions, such as reducing consumption, will be necessary for cutting carbon emissions, although structural and social forces make this challenging. Over half the global emissions are due to the wealthy, and while they could reduce their consumption, this is typically viewed as a sacrifice. Yet one group of people, minimalists, practise a lifestyle involving voluntarily reducing material consumption. This thesis investigates how minimalists limit consumption despite the challenges, if they offer insights into reducing consumption, and how they influence others to adopt the lifestyle. The thesis has five broad aims. First, identify the research gap and define the research agenda. Second, determine the environmental and wellbeing impacts of minimalism. Third, discover the motivations, challenges, and practices of minimalism, and fourth, understand the social influence of minimalism. The research is underpinned by self- determination theory, which identifies three basic psychological needs required for motivation. I explore if minimalism meets these psychological needs and its relationship with wellbeing. Chapter 1 outlines the rationale, research agenda, and methodological and theoretical approach. Chapter 2 defines the research agenda via a systematic review, investigating if minimalism can deliver the dual benefit of reduced ecological footprint and increased wellbeing. While research on minimalism was limited, three low-consumption lifestyles offered some support for this hypothesis. A positive association between wellbeing and minimalism was found, although the relationship between minimalism and carbon emissions is unexplored in the literature. Chapter 3 investigates the environmental impact of minimalism on both ecological footprint and wellbeing via an online survey (N=444). Minimalism was negatively associated with ecological footprint and negative affect, positively associated with positive affect, but not associated with life satisfaction. Minimalism exhibited potential advantages for both the environment and wellbeing. Chapter 4 outlines an exploratory qualitative investigation into the motivations, practices, challenges, and social influence of self-identified minimalists (N=15). Environmental practices identified included giving possessions away, repair, reuse, and minimising disposal. Participants seemed to influence via modelling and social norms, potentially inspiring others to adopt the lifestyle. The study suggested minimalism may enable participants to have their basic psychological needs met. Chapter 5 investigates the role of social influence, and mediators between minimalism and wellbeing via an online survey (N=359). Minimalism was positively associated with wellbeing. Basic psychological needs mediated between minimalism and wellbeing. Those higher in minimalism were not influenced by social norms but tried to influence others via exemplifying minimalist practices. Minimalism was associated with collective actions: voting, using online awareness raising tools, talking about minimalism, and making changes at work. To conclude, this thesis demonstrates for the first-time that minimalism offers the dual benefit of a lower ecological footprint and greater wellbeing. The lifestyle seems to support the satisfaction of basic psychological needs, conferring wellbeing benefits. Those higher in minimalism appear to influence others. Minimalism is a lifestyle freely available to the wealthy and could be a scalable approach for reducing over- consumption and carbon emissions. Show more