Create

A BETTER FUTURE

CONSUMPTION

Gandhi saw economic reasoning based on people — rather than on consumer goods — as the way to social and environmental sustainability. Whenever in doubt, apply the following test. Recall the face of the poorest and the weakest person you may have seen, and ask yourself if the consumption activity you contemplate is going to be of any use to that person? Will that person gain anything? Will it restore that person's control over his or her own life and destiny? This approach considers actions that correct things for the most disproportionately impacted people in a community.

Through their daily purchases, individuals hold considerable sway over the health and stability of the world’s most fragile ecological systems, according to the World Watch Institute. If alternative choices are presented to the consumer and enough demand is generated, entire markets can shift. Consider the great shifts over recent years in public attitudes about diet, exercise, fitness, preventive health, and wellness; or about pollution, global warming, and atmospheric ozone depletion. Such agendas have begun to sink in. According to Klaus Toepfer of the United Nations Environment Program, we can identify the underlying driving forces of consumption and use this knowledge to raise awareness throughout society of the importance for sustainable lifestyles.

Co-Op America - Consumer and Investor Power for Social Change. Co-op America, a national nonprofit organization founded in 1982, provides the economic strategies, organizing power and practical tools for businesses and individuals to address today's social and environmental problems.

Sustainable Living - Oregon State University Extension Service - This web site provides research-based information to help individuals make intelligent consumer decisions; and educational tools for natural resources. Our mission is to reduce environmental degradation and improve quality of life by fostering new consumption patterns and promoting sustainable lifestyles.

Living Planet Report - People are consuming the Earth's natural resources 20 percent faster than nature can renew them -- a dangerous imbalance that is driving the loss of species and may lead to critical resource shortages in the years ahead, according to a new report by World Wildlife Fund. Sustainable living is not incompatible with a high standard of living. Our challenge as a society is to find ways to live within the planet's carrying capacity, and to do so before it is too late.

Ecological Footprint Calculator - Ever wondered how much "nature" your lifestyle requires? You're about to find out.
This Ecological Footprint Quiz estimates how much productive land and water you need to support what you use and what you discard. After answering 15 easy questions you'll be able to compare your Ecological Footprint to what other people use and to what is available on this planet.

Great Transition Initiative - The global transition has begun—a planetary society will take shape over the coming decades. But its outcome is in question. Current trends set the direction of departure for the journey, not its destination. Depending on how environmental and social conflicts are resolved, global development can branch into dramatically different pathways.The Great Transition Initiative is an expanding international effort to help crystallize a global citizens movement by advancing an inspiring and coherent vision.

Energy Savers, Tips on Saving Energy and Money at home - U.S. Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. Every year a huge amount of energy is wasted. You can help save energy by doing simple things like turning off the lights when you leave a room, powering off your video games when you're done playing, and keeping the windows and doors closed when the air conditioner is running.

Recycle Store - The Recycle Store showcases innovative recycled-content products and puts you in touch directly with their manufacturers. It serves as a free public resource made available to consumers, specialty retail buyers, mass merchandiser buyers, government buyers and online shoppers. It was established by the State of California to support entrepreneurs developing new products that deliver environmental and job creation advantages for their local communities.

Ten Things Not To Buy - Buyers should avoid coral jewellery, crocodile skin and Beluga caviar if they want to enjoy a guilt-free holiday season, the nature protection group says the World Wildlife Fund.

Center for a New American Dream– The Center for a New American Dream helps Americans consume responsibly to protect the environment, enhance quality of life, and promote social justice. The Center exists to create that positive impact. We work with individuals, institutions, communities, and businesses to conserve natural resources, counter the commercialization of our culture, and change the way goods are produced and consumed.

Innovations for Living - Take the Home Report Card Quiz and see if your home makes the grade!

Home Energy Saver - The Home Energy Saver is designed to help consumers identify the best ways to save energy in their homes, and find the resources to make the savings happen. The Home Energy Saver was the first Internet-based tool for calculating energy use in residential buildings.

Transaction Net, Local Exchange Trading Systems (LETS) - LETS money is created as mutual credit: Each transaction is recorded as a corresponding credit and debit in the two participants' accounts. The quantity of currency issued is thus automatically sufficient and (unlike fiat money) does not depend on the judgment and effort of a central authority.

The E. F. Schumacher Society, Local Currencies - A brief introduction to the stable local currency experiments and the Self Help Association for a Regional Economy (SHARE) micro-credit program in Great Barrington, MA.

Smart Consumer’s Web Site - What we buy and how much we buy have a huge impact on the environment. Your buying choices make a difference and can send a message to companies. By buying differently, you can tell corporations that there’s a better way—one that uses less water, trees, and fossil fuels; decreases air and water pollution; and protects wildlife habitat.

Energy Efficiency Consumer Resources - The Consumer Guide will help you find energy-saving products and show you how to use them most effectively. From light bulbs to furnaces, air conditioners to washing machines, windows to refrigerators, all are covered in this guide for consumers who care about the environment and about their budget.

Aveda Environmental Sustainability - Aveda Corporation and their sustainable “protect the planet” program. Realize your power as an individual. Take action for our planet’s health.

Working Assets - Youth Focus Fund - Make the world a better place for kids. When you sign up with the Working Assets Youth Focus your everyday purchases can create a better future for kids.

Debra's List - Hailed as "The Queen of Green" by the New York Times, Debra Lynn Dadd has been a pioneering consumer advocate since 1982, specializing in products and lifestyle choices that are safer for human health and better for the environment.

The Apollo Alliance in support of good jobs and energy independence - The Apollo Alliance is building a broad coalition within the labor, environmental, business, urban, and faith communities in support of good jobs and energy independence. The Alliance is developing public education campaigns and communications strategies to link allies and build a national constituency for a bold, broad based, and immediate program of public policy.

Green Home: Environmental Superstore - We are, as we enter our fifth year of operation, one of the longer-lasting environmental stores and resource centers on the Internet. Green Home sells environmental products. We are the leading resource for green products on line and for greening your home. If you want to go green, Green Home is the place to start! We help green events, and green businesses as well as green homes.

Communities by Choice - Communities by Choice is a national network of communities, organizations and individuals committed to learning and practicing sustainable development. Our strategies include building a learning network, building the capacity of network participants, managing knowledge and resources, redirecting resources in support of sustainable development and measuring our collective progress.

The Rainforest Site - Rainforests are home to thousands of endangered species. Go to this site today to save the land and the animals that live on it by what you buy.

Energy 101 - This link provides a background on energy. The Union of Concerned Scientists takes a brief look at energy use today and through history, describe how various energy sources are harnessed and used, and examine the serious side effects from our country's heavy dependence on fossil fuels.

Consumer Unity and Trust Society (CUTS)– CUTS works with several national, regional and international organizations, such as Consumers International, the International Centre for Trade and Sustainable Development, South Asia Watch on Trade, Economics & Environment, the Consumer Coordination Council of India, etc. It also serves on several policy-making bodies of the Government of India. The organizations work is divided into five operational areas: consumer protection, which includes accountability, regulatory reforms etc.; trade and development; competition, investment and regulatory policies; sustainable production and consumption, including consumer safety; and rural consumers and women’s empowerment.

The Cost of Cool - The Cost of Cool is a new video designed to demonstrate to American teenagers the cost of being cool.” This 26-minute production looks at everyday items, from T-shirts to sneakers, and tracks the impact of their manufacture on the world’s resources. The consumer cost of these items is compared to their actual environmental costs, offering a revealing examination of the problem of over-consumption.

North American Sustainable Consumption Alliance - The North American Sustainable Consumption and Production Database is an initiative of the North American Sustainable Consumption Alliance (NASCA). The NASCA database aims at facilitating cooperation among organizations in Canada, United States and Mexico that are interested in promoting sustainable consumption and production. For the first time, Internet users can access a single web site to find information about sustainable consumption and production initiatives and programs throughout North America. The Database is also intended as a resource for citizens to learn about projects or initiatives that they can support, join, or replicate in their own community.

ENN’s Environmental Market Place - ENN's Environmental Marketplace is a valuable resource that brings together hundreds of companies that have demonstrated a commitment to healthy living and environmental responsibility.

Environmental Depot - This company provides the new construction and remodeling industry with building/interior design material and home products that are green, environmentally friendly, ecologically safe and non-toxic. As a result of our continuing research into state-of-the-art solutions to indoor environment problems and sustainability, we have many products, systems, and methods available, many of which are found within the United States.

Garden Kids - Where "made in USA" means fair wage by local folks we know by name. Where "100% cotton" means organically grown cotton grown and milled in the USA. And our stuff is sturdy, snuggly, and silly, too!

Good Stuff - Good Stuff? A Behind-the-Scenes Guide to the Things We Buy. Have you ever wondered where chocolate comes from, if antibacterial soap is good for your family, or how to recycle an old computer? If you've had these or other questions about the environmental and social impacts of the products you buy and use, Good Stuff is for you. It contains many of the tips, facts, and links you'll need to start making more informed purchases that benefit your health and the environment.

Earth Friendly Products - Earth Friendly Products will create products for home and personal use that are derived from replenishable resources. We pledge to provide our customers with products that will provide efficacy, value, and are environmentally-responsible. We will never test on animals or use animal ingredients in our products. And we will conduct our business in a socially responsible manner that safe guards the earth, and all its inhabitants.

E Magazine - Now in its 15th year, E/The Environmental Magazine is a bimonthly “clearinghouse” of information, news and resources for people concerned about the environment who want to know “What can I do?” to make a difference. E is chock full of everything environmental -- from recycling to rainforests, and from the global village to our own backyards.

Rainforest Relief - Rainforest Relief works to end the loss of the world’s tropical and temperate rainforests and protect their human and non-human inhabitants by reducing demand for the products of rainforest logging, mining and agricultural conversion, through education, advocacy, research and action.

EcoMall: A Place to Help Save the Earth - Largest environmental shopping center/expo. Find thousands of green, environmentally responsible products that are good for people and the environment.

Reusable Bags - A place to obtain facts and news, on the global push to reduce plastic and paper bag consumption. Plus simple actions you can take to help the cause. And as part of the solution we offer great products making it easy to do your part!

International Coalition for Sustainable Production & Consumption (ICSPAC) - The purpose of ICSPAC is to provide an effective information exchange and networking vehicle for NGOs and citizen organizations promoting sustainable production and consumption (SPAC) policies and practices.

The North American Sustainable Consumption Alliance (NASCA) - This organization is a strategic partnership of people and organizations who are working to promote more sustainable consumption patterns in Mexico, Canada, and the United States. Our mission is to facilitate information exchange, communication and outreach and collaborative action around sustainable consumption.

Certified Organic Retailer - Online since 1995, MotherNature.com has been the place to shop for natural, cruelty-free and environmentally-friendly health and beauty products. MotherNature.com maintains over 8,000 natural and organic products in stock, each created using manufacturing techniques stressing the principles of conservation and safe-land use. To help individuals educate themselves in order to better manage their own health, MotherNature.com provides users with free access to one of the most comprehensive, authoritative and independent natural health libraries available. MotherNature.com became the first internet-based retailer to receive third party Organic Certification in accordance with the USDA's National Organic Program. Online shoppers, as a result, can now easily find and confidently buy certified organic products, knowing that the integrity and purity of each organic product is guaranteed throughout its full lifecycle - from concept to consumer. MotherNature.com is also the first and only online retailer to have its operations run 100% using renewable sources of energy, derived entirely from the wind, water and sun.