Geographically conceived, commodity chains consist of significant production, distribution, and consumption nodes, the spatial connections among these, and the economic, social, cultural, and natural conditions of production and consumption. This concept connects the generation of cultural (signifying and representational) effects at the consumption node of a commodity chain with the social and natural conditions at the production end of the chain, the purpose being to 'bring home' to consumers the consequences of consumption. Formulated in this way commodity chains are said to constitute an analytical basis for a transformative politics and a new platform for understanding global capitalism.Commodity chains follow specific commodities as they are moved over space from points of production to points of consumption. Commodities are seen as originating in regions of production and moving through networks of economic agents, as with producers, distributors and transporters, to regions of consumption, where they are advertised, retailed and consumed. The commodity chain concept has potential for demonstrating the effects of consumption on labor and the environment. Armed with greater geographical knowledge, organized around the commodity chain concept, consumers can make choices that more fully consider the effects of their consumption on workers and the natural environment.