Resources

For tips on buying responsibly, check out our Conscious Consumer Shopping Guide, which covers everyday items from baby goods to seafood.

On the Web: http://www.newdream.org/programs/beyond-consumerism/consuming-consciously/buy-green

The founder of Sustainable Tompkins in New York State talks about how she's helped her community lay the groundwork for sustainability.

Undermining the status quo with provocative artwork and a healthy dose of wit and humor.

A new website and mobile app looks at your purchases and determines the amount of forced labor that's gone into everything you own.

Just how large and far-reaching is the groundswell toward collaborative consumption? Learn more in this dynamic video from Rachel Botsman.

Entire sets of assumptions, beliefs, and practices will need to be overturned if the United States is to build a sustainable economy, Worldwatch says.

Exclusive video and powerful testimony from what has been called the largest act of civil disobedience in the United States in decades.

Two Boston graduate students are building community and increasing their personal security through participation in a local Common Security Club.

How much do we shop? And what is it doing to us? Photographer Brian Ulrich explores these questions in a new series.

A sustainability consultant talks about the livability challenges facing U.S. communities today and the glimmers of hope he sees around the country.

An extensive list of more than 1,000 examples of "collaborative consumption" from all corners of the world.

On the Web: http://www.collaborativeconsumption.com/the-movement/snapshot-of-examples.php

One of the root causes of our environmental problems is hyper consumption. We simply buy too much of what we don't really need.

On the Web: http://visualoop.tumblr.com/post/6979154074/consumerism-stats-exclusive-infographic

In 2008, Teresa Carey left her job, sold many of her belongings, and moved aboard a 27-foot sailboat to pursue her dream of simpler living.

In the current economic climate, work sharing may be the most effective way to avoid many layoffs and quickly return the economy to full employment.

On the Web: http://www.cepr.net/index.php/publications/reports/work-sharing-the-quick-route-back-to-full-employment

A documentary film about a paradigm shift to building healthy homes in ancient ways.

On the Web: http://www.davidsheen.com/firstearth/

A new film explores the "unhealthy dose of pathos" that links us to our consumer culture.

Psychologist Tim Kasser describes his work on materialism and values, and how he’s tried to resist consumer pressures in his own life.

A new report calls for a banking system based on local financial institutions that are transparent, accountable, and rooted in community.

On the Web: http://neweconomyworkinggroup.org/report/how-liberate-america-wall-street-rule

At these friendly social gatherings, one person’s discard is another one’s treasure.

A new analysis of "voluntary simplicity" dispels some common criticisms that it is an escapist, hippie, or leisure-expansion movement.

On the Web: http://simplicitycollective.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/IntroductionToVoluntarySimplicity.doc1.pdf