Consumerism | Grist

Faux-Thoreaus take blows

No Impact Man, Elizabeth Kolbert, and the civic sphere 5
Posted 2 months, 2 weeks ago
Elizabeth Kolbert's latest essay for the New Yorker is another triumph, a perfectly pitched marriage of style and substance. It's about Colin Beavan's blog-turned-book-turned-movie No Impact Man, Vanessa Farquharson's Sleeping Naked Is Green: How an Eco-Cynic Unplugged Her Fridge, Sold Her Car, and Found Love in 366 Days, and other recent experiments in (well-to-do, white, urban) asceticism.
trash crash

Throwing out the throwaway economy 0
Posted 2 months, 2 weeks ago
The throwaway economy is on a collision course with the earth's geological limits.
How much is that brainwashing in the window?

Our addiction to cheap stuff has become very expensive, new book argues 24
Posted 2 months, 3 weeks ago
Ellen Ruppel Shell, author of Cheap: The High Cost of Discount Culture, explains the history, psychology, and dangers of the American romance with bargain hunting.
Update: We're Still Screwed!

‘The Great Squeeze’ joins long list of doomsaying eco-films 3
Posted 3 months ago
The Great Squeeze, a documentary by director Christophe Fauchere (of 2007's film Energy Crossroads), is full of apocalyptic observations, none of which should surprise anyone even vaguely environmentally-minded.
How about... "prosumer"?

Stop calling Americans “consumers” 6
Posted 4 months, 1 week ago
James Kunstler says we should stop calling Americans "consumers." It pigeonholes all Americans and also becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.
The Grist List: From Poo to Potato

A loo that turns poo into fuel, and more 0
Posted 4 months, 2 weeks ago
Meet the LooWatt: a waterless eco-commode made from poop that turns your #1 and #2 into CH4. It's the diaper genie of the sustainability set.
Survey Says!

Consumers no longer want to be kept in the dark about food 3
Posted 4 months, 2 weeks ago
A new survey came out indicating that (surprise, surprise) only 20% of Americans trust food companies to develop and sell food products that are safe and healthy." But there was some far more interesting data buried in this survey.
Crazy About Carseats But Not Climate?

Child safety? A Father’s Day call for a longer view 1
Posted 4 months, 3 weeks ago
Every year around this time, the father in me starts thinking deep thoughts about why I’ve dedicated my career to environmental awareness and, in particular, helping people who don’t consider themselves activists understand why environmental issues should matter to them. For me, it’s simple. It’s the kids.
Generation Next

Former PepsiCo exec to take helm at Seventh Generation 3
Posted 4 months, 4 weeks ago
Seventh Generation's Jeffrey Hollender has decided to step down from his role as CEO of the natural-products company, leaving Chuck Maniscalco, a former executive at PepsiCo, to take his place. What do the incoming and outgoing CEOs have to say about maintaining the company's commitment to sustainability?
Survey says

Americans ranked as world’s least green consumers—again 3
Posted 5 months, 3 weeks ago
With NatGeo releasing the results of its annual Greendex survey today, I'd like to point out that polls like this are really an opportunity for America to shine.
Hoosier guru

An interview with author Scott Russell Sanders 0
Posted 6 months, 2 weeks ago
The Conservationist Manifesto author on wealth, wilderness, and why the time for meek eco-messaging is over.
We'll drink to that

Raise a glass to sustainability at Seattle Carrotmob event 0
Posted 6 months, 2 weeks ago
Today is Earth Day. And there's no better way to celebrate than with a nice, cold pint of beer. No, really! Join the Carrotmob event at Pike Pub & Brewery in Seattle.
Ugh, April 22nd already?

What’s the matter with Earth Day? 5
Posted 7 months ago
Why does Grist hate Earth Day? Are the Gristers jealous or something?
Is the global economy a Ponzi scheme? Part 4

Former GE Chief Jack Welch says obsession with short-term profits was ‘Dumb Idea’ 0
Posted 7 months, 3 weeks ago
File this one under "now they tell us" or maybe "the former drug kingpin says crack is not healthy for you." The Financial Times reports the shocking not-quite-deathbed conversion
Ask Umbra’s video advice on how to be a green drunk 0
Posted 7 months, 4 weeks ago
What is the most unsustainable piece of junk you own? 0
Posted 8 months ago
Envisioning a future without disposable hotel pens and Timex watches 0
Posted 8 months ago
Boo Who?

Umbra on bamboo origins 15
Posted 8 months, 4 weeks ago
Gee, Thanks

Umbra on gift cards 10
Posted 9 months, 2 weeks ago
Balm Squad

A review of natural and organic lip balms 17
Posted 9 months, 3 weeks ago