As a movement brought about by Carlo Petrini back in the 1980s, the slow food movement kicked off when a McDonald’s opened in Rome with the idea that it posed a threat to Italian culinary traditions. Nowadays, this movement embraces more than just food, although its attitude has stayed the same: living in a rush is not always the best way to live.

Often, progress is measured by convenience and efficiency. Many consumers have gotten used to the choice and speed associated with such progress. Many of our answers can be quickly Googled, and we can find out the news with a click of a few buttons on our smartphones. We can simply heat up ready meals in the microwave to access quick food or else purchase worldwide produce at a supermarket.

However, the slow living movement suggests that these rapid developments can complicate our lives rather than simplify them. When engaging in these fast-paced, seemingly convenient decisions, we may be consuming things without really considering the impact of these decisions on our environment. Consumption becomes less conscious – and, therefore, more detrimental to the planet.