Conscious Consuming

Voluntary Simplicity Resources

 
 

 

WEB SITES:

Slow Food USA-www.slowfoodusa.org

Slow Food USA envisions a future food system that is based on the principles of high quality and taste, environmental sustainability, and social justice – in essence, a food system that is good, clean and fair. We seek to catalyze a broad cultural shift away from the destructive effects of an industrial food system and fast life; toward the regenerative cultural, social and economic benefits of a sustainable food system, regional food traditions, the pleasures of the table, and a slower and more harmonious rhythm of life.


Green Drink International-www.biothinking.com/greendrinks/index.php

Green Drinks International is a self-organizing network of environmentally-minded people who meet up for drinks. There is a mixture of people from NGOs, academia, government and business. The events are very simple and unstructured, but many people have found employment, made friends, developed new ideas, done deals and had moments of serendipity. Visit the website to contact your local node and get the latest info about coming along.


Cool People Care- www.coolpeoplecare.org

CoolPeopleCare exists to show you how to change the world in whatever time you have.
One minute? Five minutes? An entire day? Whatever you have, we'll help you spend it wisely. They offer "5 Minutes of Caring" emails, a blog, links to resources and events in your area, and a sister site called Cool Moms Care at http://coolmomscare.org.


National Downshifting Week- www.downshiftweek.com

Sustainable living writer and broadcaster Tracey Smith founded the UK's National Downshifting Week in 2005, and it's growing every year. Visit the site for tips on downshifting, Tracey's green family blog, and short films about "Slowing Down and Greening Up."


www.coopamerica.org-www.coopamerica.org

Home of the National Green Pages, Co-Op America also runs campaigns via their free email alerts to influence legislative policy on fuel economy standards, energy efficiency, and fair trade practices.


The Center for a New American Dream - www.newdream.org

New Dream works with individuals, institutions, communities and businesses to conserve natural resources, counter the commercialization of our culture and promote positive changes in the way goods are produced and consumed. You can join the New Dream community, support institutional purchasing, become active in their campaigns on a local level, or find out about local buying guides.

 

Tree Hugger - www.treehugger.com

TreeHugger is a media outlet dedicated to driving sustainability mainstream. You can find out how to go green via their blog, daily and weekly newsletters, weekly video segments, or the weekly radio show.  You can also participate through their user-generated blog. 


 

Take Back Your Time Day - www.timeday.org

Find out about overwork and the reasons to support Take Back Your Time Day, on October 24th.  The website has tools to challenge the epidemic of overwork, over-scheduling and time famine that now threatens our health, our families and relationships, our communities and our environment. 


Adbusters - www.adbusters.org

Visit this site for information about Adbusters Media Foundation, Adbusters magazine, and Adbusters groups.  You can join the network of artists, students, activists, and educators challenging contemporary commercial culture with campaigns like the Blackspot sneaker and Buy Nothing Day. 


Union of Concerned Scientists - www.ucsusa.org

UCS combines independent scientific research and citizen action to develop innovative, practical solutions and to secure responsible changes in government policy, corporate practices, and consumer choices.  You can visit the website to get an energy tookit or to subscribe to weekly emails with "armchair activism" opportunities on global warming, vehicles, invasives, scientific integrity, and our food supply. 


Idealist - www.idealist.org

Help launch a global network of people who want to change their communities and the world by connecting people, ideas, and resources in every possible way. Find volunteer opportunites, connect with like-minded people, or find volunteers for your non-profit.  


Grist - www.grist.org

Visit Grist for really punny, well-delivered, and well-reasearched environmental news and commentary.  You can subscribe to weekly emails that headline the articles, read the blog, and listen to the weekly podcast.  As they put it, "doom and gloom" with a sense of humor. 


Awakening Earth - www.awakeningearth.org

Author Duane Elgin's personal website about his books, videos, and speeches.  He is one of the modern protagonists for the modern US voluntary simplicity movement. 


The Simple Living Network - www.simpleliving.net

Since 1996 The Simple Living Network has been providing resources, tools, examples and contacts for conscious, simple, healthy and restorative living.  Visit their website for a free e-newsletter, discussion forums, an event calendar, to order books on voluntary simplicity, or to join an on-line study group or Simplicity Circle in your area. 


Local Harvest - www.localharvest.org

Here you can enter your US zip code to find the best organic food—the one grown closest to your home.  Use their website to find farmers' markets, family farms, and other sources of sustainably grown food in your area (including restaurants), where you can buy produce, grass-fed meats, and many other goodies. 


Go Vegetarian - www.goveg.org

This is a great resource for people trying to increase their intake of  meat-free meals.  You can find recipes, resources, and tips, as well as take a 30-day veg pledge. 


Families Rising - www.familiesrising.org  

Families Rising, an affiliate of Mom's Rising, is working to mobilize a grass roots effort to support support to leaders and organizations addressing key issues such as paid family leave; flexible work options; after-school programs; healthcare for all kids; excellent childcare; realistic, fair wages; and paid sick days for all. 


The Northwest Earth Institute - www.nwei.org

This fabulous organization offers discussion courses across the US on issues including voluntary simplicity, global warming, choices for sustainable living, exploring deep ecology, and globalization.  The discussion course manuals are meant for a self-facilitated group of 8-12 people, meeting in a home, library, place of work, or faith- or community-based center.  Start a discussion course in your area!

 

BOOKS:

In Praise of Slow - Carl Honore

Animal, Vegetable, Miracle - Barbara Kingsolver

The Omnivore's Dilemma - Michael Pollan

In Defense of Food - Michael Pollan

Worldchanging: A User's Guide for the 21st Century - Alex Steffen

Wake Up and Smell the Planet - Grist

Fight Global Warming Now - Bill McKibben

Cradle to Cradle - William McDonough and Michael Braungart

Sustainable Planet - Betsy Taylor and Juliet Schor (eds)

Eco-Economy - Lester Brown

Your Money or  Your Life - Vicki Robin

Affluenza - John de Graaf

No Logo - Naomi Klein

How Much is Enough - Alan Durning

The Overspent American - Juliet Schor

The Overworked American - Juliet Schor

Born to Buy:  the commercialized child and the culture of excess - Juliet Schor

Good News for a Change - David Suzuki

Natural Capitalism - Hawken and Lovins

Buying for the Future - Kevin Lyons

Consuming Kids:  the hostile takeover of childhood - Susan Linn

Living Simply with Children - Marie Sherlock

What kids really want that Money Can't Buy - Betsy Taylor