Shortcomings of the environmental behavior of families: excessive consumption

The purpose of the study is to analyze the attitude of the population towards natural environment and natural resources as a characteristic of human potential. In the first part of the article, the environmental behavior of the population is considered in terms of the propensity to conserve resources and reduce waste generation. Water and energy consumption in everyday life is analyzed in different regions, and their strong differentiation is noted. A similar situation has been found out in the formation of solid municipal waste per capita. There are identified the factors influencing the considered indicators of environmental behavior, the main of which is average per capita income. It is noted that families tend to save their expenses on water and energy consumption, waste management, but not consciously preserve these natural goods themselves. An index of environmental behavior of the population is proposed, which is built from particular indices on water, energy consumption, and waste generation in everyday life. A comparative analysis of the index values for all Russian regions was carried out. The index also makes it possible to track the dynamics of changes in environmental behavior and assess the effectiveness of measures influencing this behavior. In the second part of the article, the issue of environmental behavior of the population is generalized to the analysis of its primary source - the needs of the population. It is shown that the pyramid of needs in the modern world has been transformed, and satisfaction of primary material needs leads not to formation of spiritual demands, but to excessive consumption of material goods. It has been suggested that excessive consumption is even more dangerous for the survival of mankind than overpopulation of the planet. The concept of responsible consumption is considered as a program to combat excessive consumption. It is noted that the problem of greening the needs of the population has not yet found its place in most documents on sustainable development. Since consumer habits and environmental behavior are formed in childhood, the dominant role of the family in environmental education is emphasized.