| Name |
Creator |
A Teenage Perspective on “Buying Different”
The goal is to help young people learn how they can make a difference by buying differently. For example, did you know that if just 1 out of every 10 middle and high school students each bought just 1 recycled notebook this year, they would save over 60,000 trees, conserve 25.5 million gallons of water, and stop 5,250,000 pounds of global warming gases from being released? A variety of tools and materials help you learn about the connections and take actions that make a difference (e.g., a Community Action Guide with 30 activity ideas and step-by-step advice on organizing projects to make a difference in your community; the Buy Different Action Center let’s you find out exactly how many resources you save when you take 4 simple actions).
http://www.ibuydifferent.org/ |
sarahthurs
|
Affluenza.Org
We recycle our garbage. We vote greener. We buy sleek, new hybrid cars and fill our houses with energy-efficient light bulbs. And we put our money and faith in the brave and ingenious technologies that will rescue us from the whirlwind. But it won't be enough. Because this is not, fundamentally, a technological problem. Nor is it, fundamentally, a political problem. This is a problem of appetites, and of narcissism, and of self-deceit. The planet is breaking, and it is breaking under the weight of our hunger for more. To reform the world, we must first reform ourselves. Find out how.
http://www.affluenza.org |
sarahthurs
|
Affluenza: PBS TV program on the Epidemic of Overconsumption
Helpful links include diagnosis of and treatment for Affluenza; Tips for Simplifying Your Life; a Teacher's Guide loaded with thought-provoking and fun activities for kids grades 5-12 (Parents may find it useful too); and books, magazines, Web sites, news groups and community organizations that promote sustainability as well as more simple, joyful living.
http://www.pbs.org/kcts/affluenza/map/map.html |
sarahthurs
|
CD and DVD recycling!
(need I say more? It's worth the postage, don't you think?)
http://www.cdrecyclingcenter.org |
beetle4bug
|
Campaign Earth
Looking for a way to help the environment but don't know where to start? Here’s simple solutions that address today's most pressing environmental issues with an emphasis on global warming. Knowing that a busy lifestyle is as American as apple pie, these straightforward actions enable us all to make a difference, one step at a time.
http://www.campaignearth.org/mainpage.asp |
sarahthurs
|
Care 2 Make a Difference
Green Living: Healthy Solutions, Real Impact. Lots of info on such topics as feng shui, green home decor, spirituality, nature activities, travel footprints, healthy schools/offices, smart shopping, and more.
http://www.care2.com |
sarahthurs
|
Central Wisconsin 'Trading Post' yahoo! group
a place to buy / sell / trade your stuff (not for free stuff)
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/central_wis_trading_post/ |
beetle4bug
|
Central Wisconsin Goes Green!
a hub of ideas and activities for local sustainability
http://gogreencentralwisconsin.com |
beetle4bug
|
Consumer Consequences Interactive Game
Public Radio's Consumer Consequences game will ask you a series of questions about your lifestyle, and as you play, it will show you how many "Earths" of natural resources it would take to sustain all 6.6 billion humans if everyone lived like you. It takes only about 10 minutes to complete & is quite interesting. You can compare your lifestyle with other players and modify your choices to reduce your footprint.
http://sustainability.publicradio.org/consumerconsequences/ |
sarahthurs
|
Consumer Expenditure Survey
The Consumer Expenditure Survey (CE) program consists of two surveys collected for the Bureau of Labor Statistics by the Census Bureau — the quarterly Interview survey and the Diary survey — that provide information on the buying habits of American consumers, including data on their expenditures, income, and consumer unit (families and single consumers) characteristics.
http://www.bls.gov/cex |
sarahthurs
|
Do-It-Yourself Home Energy Audit Tool
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. It’s the first Internet-based tool for calculating energy use in residential buildings. The results pages provide a list of recommendations--ranked by payback time--tailored to the particular home being evaluated. Results can be viewed online or printed in a report. In addition, there is an array of links to "how-to" information resources.
http://hes.lbl.gov/ |
sarahthurs
|
Earth Day Network
Founded by the organizers of the first Earth Day in 1970, Earth Day Network (EDN) promotes environmental citizenship and year round progressive action worldwide.
http://www.earthday.net/ |
sarahthurs
|
Easy A/C energy conservation
This is an easy way to help prevent the 'need' for new power plants to meet energy demands on hottest days of summer. And one of the options gives you a monthly credit on your electric bill during summer months. If you have central air (or an electric water heater), check it out!
http://www.wisconsinpublicservice.com/home/help.asp |
beetle4bug
|
Eat local challenge!
http://www.cias.wisc.edu/eatlocal/ |
beetle4bug
|
Energy Star
Learn more about tax credits under the Energy Bill, Energy Star appliances, home improvements, green building, and more.
http://www.energystar.gov/ |
sarahthurs
|
Evolve plastic lumber
http://www.renewplastics.com/ |
beetle4bug
|
Farmshed
Supporting Central Wisconsin Farmers and Eating Locally
http://farmshed.org |
iclarkz
|
Fast Facts on Consumption and Waste
Simple ways to educate yourself about sustainable consumption & waste reduction.
http://www.uni.edu/ceee/simplify/fastfacts.html |
sarahthurs
|
Growing your own food, Japanese style
I thought this article was inspiring/interesting.
http://noimpactman.typepad.com/blog/2009/05/growing-your-own-food-japanesestyle.html |
z1na
|
My Footprint.org
Ever wondered how much "nature" your lifestyle requires? 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.
http://www.myfootprint.org |
sarahthurs
|
National Geographic’s “The Green Guide”
The Green Guide is a resource for those striving for a healthy and “greener” lifestyle. It is our collective vision that one day The Green Guide will be the go-to source of information about practical everyday, environmentally responsible and health-minded product choices and actions.
http://www.thegreenguide.com/ |
sarahthurs
|
New American Dream
Live Consciously (tips to help you feel more alive & aligned with your values). Buy Wisely (use your power as a consumer to create change). Make a Difference (learn 9 simple actions almost anyone can take and then instantly see the positive impact of each reported action).
http://www.newdream.org |
sarahthurs
|
PBS Guide to Children & Media
Discover how TV, movies, advertising, computers and video games can shape your child's development and what you can do to create a media-literate household.
http://www.pbs.org/parents/childrenandmedia/ |
sarahthurs
|
Recipes for Safer Cleaners
Recipes for homemade kitchen, bathroom, & living room cleaners, as well as recipes for metal polishes, air fresheners, floors & carpets, laundry & mold.
http://www.checnet.org/healthehouse/education/articles-detail-print.asp?Main_ID=564 |
sarahthurs
|
Reducing Junk Mail: 41 Pounds
We contact the direct mail companies and get you off their lists! The service lasts for 5 years and costs just $41. You can sit back and enjoy the satisfaction of knowing that valuable resources will no longer be wasted trying to sell you goods and services you don’t want. You’ll also enjoy the peace of mind that comes from reducing your exposure to identity fraud. For each person who signs up for our service, we donate more than 1/3 of our fee to community and environmental organizations that plant trees, protect watersheds, and strengthen our communities.
http://www.41pounds.org |
sarahthurs
|
Reducing Junk Mail: Green Dimes
We don’t like unwanted postal mail and we believe that the 113 million households in America feel the same way. Our business is to reduce your household’s unwanted mail- our mission is to put an end to it for good. Sign the petition to legislate an end. Get our Kit to reduce your share by up to 90% and we’ll plant 10 trees on your behalf.
http://www.greendimes.com |
sarahthurs
|
Slate's Green Lantern
an interesting and insightful discussion on many very practical environmental issues...check it out! :)
http://www.slate.com/id/2174662/landing/1 |
beetle4bug
|
The Simple Living Network
Since 1996 The Simple Living Network has been providing resources, tools, examples and contacts for conscious, simple, healthy, and restorative living.
http://www.simpleliving.net |
sarahthurs
|
Toilet paper from recycled paper....cheap!
Earth friendly products don't HAVE to cost more. Not sure how everyone feels about ordering online or ordering from Amazon, but this T.P. works well (my family has no complaints :) )and couldn't beat this price -- especially if you sign up for a 'subscription' [see website]
http://www.amazon.com/Seventh-Generation-Bathroom-Tissue-500-Sheet/dp/B000C7OHFK/ref=pd_bbs_sr_4/002-9604191-4464061?ie=UTF8&s=hpc&qid=1180413208&sr=8-4 |
beetle4bug
|
WPRIG’s Simplicity Circle
The WPIRG Simplicity Circle is a weekly discussion group that explores voluntary simplicity. Participants learn how to cut unhelpful clutter out of their lives through a variety of exercises and readings.
http://www.wpirg.org/simplicitycircle |
sarahthurs
|
Wausau Freecycle
a place to post unwanted but usable stuff
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/wausaufreecycle |
beetle4bug
|
Wisconsin’s Focus On Energy
Focus on Energy works with eligible Wisconsin residents and businesses to install cost effective energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. Information, resources, and financial incentives help to implement projects that otherwise would not get completed, or to complete projects sooner than scheduled. Its efforts help Wisconsin residents and businesses manage rising energy costs, promote in-state economic development, protect our environment and control the state's growing demand for electricity and natural gas.
http://www.focusonenergy.com/ |
sarahthurs
|
