“Consumerism is economically manifested in the chronic purchasing of new goods and services, with little attention to their true need, durability, product origin or the environmental consequences of manufacture and disposal”(Overcoming Consumerism). Over-consumption is the condition of taking more than we can productively use. It is impossible for the Earth to maintain sustainability when we are taking more than it can provide for us. Unfortunately, this has become a way of life for the American society. Over-consumption is directly related to our population explosion and more importantly, our lifestyle choices. This kind of over-consumption leads us to believe that to become truly happy we must attain many material goods to fill that void. In turn, we are faced with a decline in community life, a stable family and healthy relationships.