> Americans love to own things. They value material wealth. The primary symbols of the American Dream are a home and a car, followed by electronics, clothing, sneakers, and other items. Downtown areas and shopping centers are filled with people browsing and walking away with their purchases. This consumption fuels the American economy, and the wide range of consumables, from clothing to toys and gourmet coffee to home décor, offers infinite variety. Consuming at this volume, however, has a profound impact on the environment and can be perceived as greedy and careless in other cultures.