SHOPPING for SUSTAINABILITY <http://www.newdream.org>
With Christmas, Hannukah, and Kwanzaa fast approaching, gift-giving may
be
on your mind. Instead of going frazzled at the local mall, you may want
to
simplify the holidays by giving certificates of service, a "family gift"
in
lieu of individual gifts, or a donation to a charity. Before making a
purchase you might first ask yourself the following questions:
* How will this item affect the quality of my
(or the gift receiver's) life?
* Is the cost of the item worth the amount of time it takes to
earn the money to buy it?
* Can I buy it used? Borrow it? Rent it?
Share the purchase with someone else?
* How will this item affect the environment?
* How were the people who made it treated?
(source: "The Alternative Shopping List: Becoming a Caring Consumer"
from
The Circle of Simplicity by Cecile Andrews - Harper Collins, 1997)
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A few words about the Center for a New American Dream and In Balance:
The Center for a New American Dream is a membership-based not-for-profit
organization dedicated to raising public awareness of the hidden costs
of
excessive consumption. We are working to build and support a broad
network
of organizations and individual leaders to promote sustainable
lifestyles
that will ensure a healthy planet for future generations. For more
information on our mission, staff, and board of directors, please see
http://www.newdream.org/main/about.html or call 301-891-3683.
Center for a New American Dream
6930 Carroll Ave., Suite 900
Takoma Park, MD 20912
Tel: 301-891-3683 Fax: 301-891-3684
E-mail: newdream@newdream.org
Internet: http://www.newdream.org
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My apologies if anybody is offended by this posting.
Cindy Pollock Shea
http://sustainable.state.fl.us