Myths we live by : How do they sustain unsustainable consumption
(2026) p.3-15- Abstract
This chapter sets the stage for the volume. Sustainable consumption has long been on the global agenda, yet prevailing consumption patterns continue to drive climate change, resource depletion and biodiversity loss. One of the key barriers is the persistence of myths – narratives that render unsustainable practices normal, desirable or even virtuous. The chapter situates myths historically, tracing their role from classical philosophy and theology to modern politics and consumer culture. It shows how myths evolved from cosmological explanations to instruments of persuasion, employed to legitimise authority and reinforce power, and highlights their central role in shaping perceptions in political and environmental discourse. Turning to... (More)
This chapter sets the stage for the volume. Sustainable consumption has long been on the global agenda, yet prevailing consumption patterns continue to drive climate change, resource depletion and biodiversity loss. One of the key barriers is the persistence of myths – narratives that render unsustainable practices normal, desirable or even virtuous. The chapter situates myths historically, tracing their role from classical philosophy and theology to modern politics and consumer culture. It shows how myths evolved from cosmological explanations to instruments of persuasion, employed to legitimise authority and reinforce power, and highlights their central role in shaping perceptions in political and environmental discourse. Turning to sustainable consumption, the chapter examines how myths emerge and identifies mechanisms through which they gain traction: anchored in shared values, embedded in practices and artefacts, institutionalised in policies and organisations and amplified through media. The chapter argues that dispelling myths is essential for enabling sustainability transformations. Exposing the weaknesses of prevailing myths and encouraging reflexivity create space for more ambitious pathways towards sustainable consumption.
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- author
- Mont, Oksana LU
- organization
- publishing date
- 2026-01-01
- type
- Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding
- publication status
- published
- subject
- host publication
- Myths about Sustainable Consumption : Dispelled - Dispelled
- pages
- 13 pages
- publisher
- Taylor & Francis
- external identifiers
-
- scopus:105031191930
- ISBN
- 9781040869581
- 9781041012184
- DOI
- 10.4324/9781003613718-2
- language
- English
- LU publication?
- yes
- additional info
- Publisher Copyright: © 2026 selection and editorial matter, Oksana Mont; individual chapters, the contributors.
- id
- 548def1f-0cec-4815-bc5b-a0bd0b943c6e
- date added to LUP
- 2026-04-09 15:31:16
- date last changed
- 2026-07-04 05:31:28
@inbook{548def1f-0cec-4815-bc5b-a0bd0b943c6e,
abstract = {{<p>This chapter sets the stage for the volume. Sustainable consumption has long been on the global agenda, yet prevailing consumption patterns continue to drive climate change, resource depletion and biodiversity loss. One of the key barriers is the persistence of myths – narratives that render unsustainable practices normal, desirable or even virtuous. The chapter situates myths historically, tracing their role from classical philosophy and theology to modern politics and consumer culture. It shows how myths evolved from cosmological explanations to instruments of persuasion, employed to legitimise authority and reinforce power, and highlights their central role in shaping perceptions in political and environmental discourse. Turning to sustainable consumption, the chapter examines how myths emerge and identifies mechanisms through which they gain traction: anchored in shared values, embedded in practices and artefacts, institutionalised in policies and organisations and amplified through media. The chapter argues that dispelling myths is essential for enabling sustainability transformations. Exposing the weaknesses of prevailing myths and encouraging reflexivity create space for more ambitious pathways towards sustainable consumption.</p>}},
author = {{Mont, Oksana}},
booktitle = {{Myths about Sustainable Consumption : Dispelled}},
isbn = {{9781040869581}},
language = {{eng}},
month = {{01}},
pages = {{3--15}},
publisher = {{Taylor & Francis}},
title = {{Myths we live by : How do they sustain unsustainable consumption}},
url = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.4324/9781003613718-2}},
doi = {{10.4324/9781003613718-2}},
year = {{2026}},
}