consumerism

Simple proof of what’s wrong with the world and how to save it. (WARNING: this post contains images some readers may find shocking.)

Reeling from a depressed stock, the coffee icon is trying to reposition itself by going greener, listening to customers via web 2.0, retraining and more. But will it work? A lot of people love to hate Starbucks...

The Anti-Advertising Agency needs your help. Send a SASE to:

Steve Lambert/Anti-Advertising Agency c/o Eyebeam OpenLab 540 W.21st ST. New York, NY 10011

You will receive a package full of “you don’t need it” stickers to plaster on ads in your community.

Hopeful advice, if you believe changing American buying habits can help the environment. The Mintel survey says s 36% of American say they "regularly" buy green products. In August of 2006, only 12% said they did. Trending up, kids!

Shopdropping is sort of like reverse consumerism. Artist Ryan Watkins-Hughes switches the mundane packages on tin cans, then sneaks them onto the shelves in stores, such as NYC’s Whole Foods. He thinks of it as reverse shoplifting.

Ranjit Arab on corporate surveillance and the greening of Walmart.

Our national addiction to coffee has major impacts on our environment. Over 120 million Americans drink coffee, and the average drinker has 3.1 cups of coffee each day.  Over 25% of us drink coffee from stores outside our home– we consume over 15 BILLION cups of coffee at Starbuck’s, Coffee Bean and the like each year. That’s enough paper cups to ring the Earth 55 times! Learn how to become an eco-conscious coffee drinker.

Buy the latest, discard the oldest: We all know this pattern of behavior isn't working so well, but no one has broken down the why's an how's as succinctly, smartly, gently and as well as Annie Leonard (and guess what—fixing this cycle doesn't have to mean the end of prosperity, either).

Everyone has their theory about our over-consumption, their explanation for why we can’t stop buying, even in the face of ecological meltdown. John Naish’s explanation is unusual - we evolved that way, and to stop ourselves, we need to evolve again.

The Story of Stuff is a 20-minute animated video about where stuff comes from, how it gets made into other stuff, and where it goes after that. But mainly it focuses on how all the people get trampled on along the way? Who is in charge here? You? Or all the stuff? Watch the video then decide.

Here's a Christmas Quiz designed to help you avoid giving unwanted gifts that will only end up in the landfill by January. Have a different Christmas in 2007.

Everyone needs food, water, shelter, and a real life social network. (humans are social like ants and collectively as smart as yeast) So... beyond these, are all the other items are we using disposable? Sustainable? Is floss re-usable? Condoms?

Don't forget to check out "Story of Stuff"--hot new movie by Free Range team!

WWF today called on celebrities not to promote luxury brands following the launch of a new report which ranks the top 10 luxury brands by their environmental, social and governance records.

The conservation group found leather goods manufacturer Tods, Italian jeweller Bulgari, Cartier owner Richemont, and PPR, which owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Stella McCartney among the worst performers.

Article about The Fulfillment Curve, or why money doesn't buy happiness. The more money you spend, the less fulfillment you get for each additional dollar. Don't believe me? Follow the link and learn more.

Are you tired of the holiday hype already? Why not try a buying-fast? Join environmentalists and concerned citizens from over 65 countries for the annual Buy Nothing Day.