Curbing Consumption: a Sampling of Charities Striving to Change Americans’ Behavior

Compiled by STEPHEN G. GREENE and MEG SOMMERFELD

Center for a New American Dream: Membership organization that helps people

and institutions reduce or alter their consumption habits in an effort to improve the quality of their lives and protect the environment. Contact: 6930 Carroll Avenue, Suite 900, Takoma Park, Md. 20912; (301) 891-3683 in Maryland; (877) 683-7326; fax (301) 891-3684; newdream@newdream.org; http://www.newdream.org.

Global Action Plan for the Earth: Environmental-education organization that works primarily in neighborhoods. It has established small groups of households that share strategies for reducing waste, using less water and energy, and buying environmentally friendly products, among other behavioral changes. Contact: P.O. Box 428, Woodstock, N.Y. 12498; (845) 679-4830; fax (845) 679-4834; info@globalactionplan.org; http://www.globalactionplan.org.

New Road Map Foundation: Founded by Joe Dominguez and Vicki Robin, co-authors of Your Money or Your Life, it helps people achieve financial independence by rethinking their priorities and controlling their expenses, while gaining more time for family activities and volunteering. It also makes grants to other charities. Contact: P.O. Box 15981, Seattle 98115; (206) 527-0437; fax (206) 528-1120; http://www.newroadmap.org.

Northwest Earth Institute: Operates environmental-education programs in neighborhoods, work sites, homes, schools, and religious organizations. Contact: 506 S.W. Sixth Avenue, Suite 1100, Portland, Ore. 97204; (503) 227-2807; fax (503) 227-2917; info@nwei.org; http://www.nwei.org.

Redefining Progress: Nonpartisan public-policy organization that seeks to create “a more sustainable and socially equitable” world, with an emphasis on balancing economic well-being with environmental- and social-justice concerns. It has developed a set of economic, social, and environmental indicators to serve as an alternative to the gross domestic product as a way to measure societal progress and community health. Contact: 1904 Franklin Street, Sixth Floor, Oakland, Calif. 94612; (510) 444-3041; fax (510) 444-3191; info@rprogress.org; http://www.rprogress.org.

Rocky Mountain Institute: Research and consulting organization that works with corporations, communities, individuals, and governments to promote the “efficient and restorative” use of resources. Its various programs include improving the energy efficiency of homes, businesses, vehicles, and communities, with a strong emphasis on market-based solutions. Contact: 1739 Snowmass Creek Road, Snowmass, Colo. 81654-9199; (970) 927-3851; fax (970) 927-3420; outreach@rmi.org; http://www.rmi.org.

Seeds of Simplicity: Membership organization working to promote the concept of “voluntary simplicity.” A program of the Center for Religion, Ethics & Social Policy at Cornell University, it promotes the view that people who scale back their material possessions and live below their means can save money, improve their health, preserve the environment, and serve their communities. It also helps people join or create “simplicity circles,” discussion groups where people can share ideas and strategies. Contact: P.O. Box 9955, Glendale, Calif. 91226; telephone and fax (818) 247-4332; seeds@seedsofsimplicity.org; http://www.seedsofsimplicity.org.