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This bibliography lists representative literature, materials and websites to aid those who are interested in learning to live simply or in promoting voluntary simplicity. Included are references to literature on the philosophy, sociology and economics of consumption, guides for choosing low impact automobiles, appliances and remodeling components, workbooks and guides for exploring your lifestyle, sources of materials useful in promoting simple living, and websites of several organizations presently building the foundations of the simple living revolution. Means of promoting ecologically responsible management of academic facilities are suggested in the reference "Ecodemia". The Center for a New American Dream and The Simple Living Network websites are especially comprehensive resources. Two of the websites listed can assist in reducing the amount of junk mail you receive. Enjoy... simply! Books: Consuming Desires: Consumption, Culture, and the Pursuit of Happiness, Roger Rosenblatt (ed), Island Press, 1999. (202 232-7933). Brings together writers and activists from many fields to address both the roots and the consequences of excessive consumption. Two core themes that weave through the essays are: 1) yearning and desire as driving forces behind consumption, and 2) the western concept of self that prevents people from keeping this desire in check. Writers include William Greider, Juliet Schor, and Bill McKibben. The Consumer's Guide to Effective Environmental Choices, Michael Brower, Warren Leon, Three Rivers Press, 1999. (617 547-5552). Certain consumer choices have a larger impact on the environment than others. The Union of Concerned Scientists' excellent guide identifies the four most significant consumer-related environmental problems, the seven most harmful consumer activities, eleven priority actions, and seven rules for responsible consumption. Consumer Guide to Home Energy Savings, Alex Wilson and John Marrill, American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy, Berkeley, CA, 1994. (510 549-9914). Performance ratings, savings guide, manufacturers, and installation guidelines for energy efficient appliances. Diet for a New America, John Robbins, H J Kramer, Tiburon, CA, 1998. Revision of a classic treatise on the environmental importance of "eating lower on the food chain." Ecodemia: Campus Environmental Stewardship at the Turn of the 21rst Century, Julian Keniry, National Wildlife Federation, Washington, D.C., 1995. (410 516-6583) Case histories on aspects of ecologically sound campus management, including recycling, landscaping and grounds, and energy use. Help your campus reduce operating costs, improve quality of services, reduce waste and ecological impacts, and rejuvenate local economies. Comprehensive bibliographies. Eco-Renovation, Edward Harland, Chelsea Green Publishing, Post Mills, VT. (800 639-4099). Home improvement for better health and energy efficiency, and natural living space. The Green Guide to Cars and Trucks: Model Year 1999, John DeCicco and Martin Thomas, The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, Washington, D.C., 1999. (800 639-4099) An excellent discussion of the impacts of vehicles on the environment, and concise, complete summaries on most available cars, trucks, and SUV's. Did you know that fuel combustion is 77% of the life cycle energy use for a typical automobile? The authors list emission standard certification, fuel economy and cost/yr, health cost/yr, greenhouse gas emission/yr, environmental cost/yr, and summary green score and class ranking. A very needed reference for every group and library. How Much is Enough?, Alan Thein Durning, W.W. Norton and Company, New York, NY, 1992. A classic sociological discussion of our consumer society and the need to create a society that lives within its means. Living Cheaply with Style, Ernest Callenbach, Ronin Books, 1993. Seeming to treat every aspect of one's lifestyle, from how to shave with minimum water and how to compost to choosing and caring for children to finding (or not finding) employment, this book presents a challenging alternative paradigm to that our present society - subsistence living. Many useful suggestions for all and thought-provoking throughout. Living The Simple Life, Elaine St. James, Hyperion, NY, 1996. 100 tips on changing our attitude. Enjoyable and well-written. Living with Nature: Environmental Politics as Cultural Discourse, Frank Fischer and Maarten A. Hajer (eds.), Oxford University Press, 1999. A variety of essays critiquing the concept of sustainable development, the viability of endless material growth and consumption, introduction of the "sufficiency revolution, and the role of capitalism in promoting environmentally destructive consumption. Our Ecological Footprint, Mathis Wackernagel and William Rees, New Society Publishers, Gabriola Island, BC, 1995. (http://www.newsociety.com) The ecological footprint of an average Canadian is 4.3 hectares, about three city blocks. Enough detail to allow those interested to calculate the footprint of citizens in your community. A very readable, thought provoking and technologically sound assessment of the total land usage necessary to support our lifestyles. Simplify Your Life - 100 Ways to Slow Down and Enjoy the Things That Really Matter, Elaine St. James, Hyperion, NY, 1994. Simple living hits the best seller list. An enjoyable and thought provoking look at our day to day lives. Stuff: The Secret Lives of Everyday Things, John C. Ryan and Alan Thein Durning, The Center for a New American Dream. (877-68-DREAM). Description of the ecological impacts of nine common consumer items. The Circle of Simplicity, Cecile Andrews, HarperCollins, 1997. (The Simplicity Circles Project, 877-UNSTUFF). Basic text for the growth of simplicity circles. The Simple Life: Plain Living and High Thinking in American Culture, David E. Shi, Oxford University Press, 1985. The Simple Living Guide, Janet Luhrs, Broadway Books, 1997. (206-464-4800). The editor of "Simple Living Journal" shares many perspectives on the issues around simple living. Voluntary Simplicity, Northwest Earth Institute. (503-227-2807). Collection of essays. Voluntary Simplicity: Toward a Way of Life that is Outwardly Simple, Inwardly Rich, Duane Elgin, Quill, 1993. Classic primer on voluntary simplicity. Your Money or Your Life, Joe Dominguez and Vicki Robin, Penguin Books, 1992. (206-527-5114). Co-founders of the New Road Map Foundation describe their nine steps to financial independence and reducing consumption. Articles: Carol Benson Holst, "Buying More Can Give Children Less," Young Children, September 1999. Scott Russell Sanders, "Simplicity," Audubon Magazine, July/August 1998. Utne Reader issue on "Stuff, Can We Escape," December, 1998. Periodicals: Enough, The Center for a New American Dream. (877-68-DREAM). Quarterly report on consumption, quality of life and the environment. In Balance, Center for a New American Dream, Takoma Park, MD. (301-891-3683). Distributed monthly to organizations working on consumption issues. Simple Living Journal, Seattle, WA. (206-464-4800). Quarterly journal on simple living issues. Workbooks and Guides: "Easy Does It: A Guide to Resources and Programs for Sustainable Living", Center for a New American Dream, 1999. (301-891-3683). Profiles seven consumption-related educational programs ranging in focus from managing personal finances to maintaining a "green" household to finding alternatives to television. "Finding and Living Your Passion", Andrews, Cecile, Seeds of Simplicity. (877-UNSTUFF). "Household Ecoteam Workbook: A Program Empowering Americans to Create Earth-Friendly Lifestyles", David Gershon and Robert Gilman, Global Action Plan for the Earth, Woodstock, NY, 1992. (914 679-4830). A fine guide for the individual, but meant as an activities guide for groups committed to "cleaning up" their domestic act. "Living in a Material World", The Center for a New American Dream. (877 68-DREAM). An 83-page curriculum on consumption and the environment for students in grades 8-12. "Questions & Answers on the Road to 'The Circle of Simplicity'", Andrews, Cecile and Carol Benson Holst, Seeds of Simplicity. (877 UNSTUFF). "Tales of Simplicity: Raising Children in a Complex World", Seeds of Simplicity. (877-UNSTUFF). A collection of personal stories from members of SOS. "The Real Deal", Federal Trade Commission, Seeds of Simplicity. (877-UNSTUFF). Children's activity pamphlet. "Shopping for a Better World", Council on Economic Priorities, 30 Irving Place, New York, NY, 1990. (212 420-1133). A guide to socially responsible supermarket shopping. "Simplify the Holidays", The Center for a New American Dream. (877 68-DREAM). A sixteen-page guide containing practical tips on how to simplify the holidays. "Tips for Parenting in a Commercial Culture", The Center for a New American Dream. (877-68-DREAM). A ten-page guide on, well, parenting in a commercial culture. "Yearning for Balance", The Center for a New American Dream. (877 68-DREAM). Specific suggestions on how to use fewer resources and achieve better balance in life. Materials: "Affluenza" and "Escape from Affluenza", Bullfrog Films. (800-543-FROG). PBS-sponsored video programs. Alliance for a Paving Moratorium. (707 826-7775). Car-free and feeling left out? This alliance offers such bike stickers as "Jesus was Car-free" and "Driving Our Climate to Extinction". "More Fun, Less Stuff!" Bumper Sticker. The Center for a New American Dream. (877 68-DREAM). "Simply Sustainable", Sierra Club and Seeds of Simplicity. (877 UNSTUFF). Global overview brochure on impacts of consumption. Video Highlights from Seeds of Simplicity's 9/19/98 USC National Conference, Seeds of Simplicity. (877 UNSTUFF). "5 Ways That Voluntary Simplicity Can Be Good for the Economy (and You)" poster, Seeds of Simplicity. (877UNSTUFF). Websites: The Center for a New American Dream: www.newdream.org/publications/morefun.html. "More Fun, Less Stuff"! The Center for a New American Dream, founded 1997, is a not-for-profit membership-based organization dedicated to reducing and shifting North American consumption while fostering opportunities for people to lead more secure and fulfilling lives. This fun Website includes listing of partner organizations, discussion group, information (take the "Puzzle Tour"), and listing of publications. Consumer Guide: http://aceee.org/consumerguide. The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) publishes information on energy efficient appliances, commercial and office equipment, heating and air conditioning, and "no regrets remodeling". EcoFuture: http://www.ecofuture.org/ecofuture/jnkmail.html#mainmenu. Many tips on stopping junk mail. Private Citizen: http://private-citizen.com/. "The service to stop junk calls and junk mail from invading your privacy." Established 1988; requires $10 membership fee to stop junk mail. Seeds of Simplicity: www.seedsofsimplicity.org. Information and a quick route into the world of simplicity circles. The Simple Living Network: www.simpleliving.net. An Earth-friendly business providing 3,000 pages of resources and free community services on simple living. John Harwood & Sustainable Consumption Task Force Up to Top |
