Simply Living's Tools For Living Sustainably
Are you looking for wisdom and information in your quest to live more simply and sustainably? Or just curious? Here are some of the best resources online.
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Simply Living's Tools For Living SustainablyAre you looking for wisdom and information in your quest to live more simply and sustainably? Or just curious? Here are some of the best resources online. |
Action Group on Erosion, Technology & Concentration (ETC)
ETC, formerly Rural Advancement Fund International, is dedicated to the conservation and sustainable improvement of agricultural biodiversity. See their web site for reports, news releases, actions and other tools for developing socially responsible technologies to aid rural societies.
The Alliance to Save Energy promotes efficient and clean use of energy. Articles, tips, and the Home Energy Checkup and Business Energy Checkup to help you save money and reduce pollution and energy use.
America the Green Podcast reports on the green movement, including interviews with forward thinkers, green business leaders and everyday people, sharing ideas and innovations in order to create permanent, positive change in our country and our world.
American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy
ACEEE is a nonprofit public interest group working toward advancing energy efficiency as a way to promote economic prosperity and environmental protection. Read about ACEEE's federal-level work in policy analysis, advocacy, research, and information sharing.
Appalachia: Science in the Public Interest
ASPI works in central Appalachia to address the increasing environmental problems of the area and to promote simple living as a means of self-determination. Learn about ASPI's outstanding demonstration projects and research here.
An impressively deep and informative site, Bagelhole.org provides information about low-tech sustainability for individuals and communities. Food, water, housing, survival, sanitation, health, energy, transportation, and communication all are covered in great detail. A terrific site - don't miss it!
Center for a New American Dream
How much is enough? Learn why consumption matters, and how to change consumption patterns in support of an adequate standard of living for all the world's people. Center for a New American Dream offers a gateway to related organizations, lists of books, periodicals, and online resources, an article archive, online discussions and great action tips.
The Center for Bioregional Living
Offering a demonstration site, courses and consultations. Center for Bioregional Living programs empower people to create abundance, health and regional self-sufficiency through cooperating with nature. As we learn to grow food, support local businesses, enhance biodiversity and become responsible stewards of the Earth, we will create a thriving bioregional economy.
Central Ohio Clean Fuels Coalition
The Central Ohio Clean Fuels Coalition (COCFC) is a non-profit organization based at The Ohio State University Center for Automotive Research. Its mission is to improve air quality, protect health, safeguard our global environment, increase national energy security, and strengthen Ohio’s economy by advancing cleaner, American fuels and energy efficient vehicles.
Columbus Area Public Libraries:
Columbus Metropolitan Library
Grandview Heights Public Library
Upper Arlington Public Library
Westerville Public Library
Worthington Public Library
We all support our public libraries, but do we realize just how much value they provide for us in every aspect of our lives? In Ohio, we are fortunate to also have the Ohio Public Library Information Network, a tremendous statewide library netwrk with hundreds of resources to use at home, work, or the local library.
A notable organization with an excellent web site, Co-op America offers great resources to help educate and empower individuals and businesses, so that we can use the economic system to effect social and environmental change. Find invaluable tools for consumers, entrepreneurs and investors here.
Countryside supports the homesteading and voluntary simplicity movement with articles on home food production, including gardening, small-scale livestock, cooking, and food preservation. Also find help with resource conservation, recycling, frugality, money management, alternative energy, old-time skills, and home business. Featured articles from the current and past issues are available online.
A colorful, kid-oriented site from PBS to help young people become media-savvy. The site offers fun, innovative ways for kids to evaluate advertising messages and become smart consumers.
EPEAT: Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool
If you are going to purchase a computer, make it a "green" one! EPEAT is a system to help purchasers evaluate, compare and select desktop computers, notebooks and monitors based on their environmental attributes.
EPF promotes the principles and practices of sustainable development in the fields of art, architecture, community development, agriculture, food, tourism, education, and media. This site includes a newsletter, news of past and current projects, environmental art, adventure gear, and travel offers.
Education for Sustainable Development Toolkit
"Education is an essential tool for achieving sustainability," so this site has been developed to promote public awareness and sustainability education through an easy-to-use manual.
Environmental Defense Fund offers news stories, reports, and practical information on how to lead an environmentally sustainable life and encourage your community to do the same.
Freecycle is a network of e-mail lists where people give away things that they no longer need for free. Changing the world one gift at a time. There are many local Freecycle groups in the region including Freecycle Columbus.
From friends across the pond, here is a site full of simple, commonsense tools and tips for living more lightly, sustainably, and joyfully. Some of the sections are specific to life in the UK, but many are universally applicable, such as how to eat healthy food for free, and how to keep your home clean using earth-friendly remedies.
A rich and welcoming site by the authors of the book, Getting a Life, based on Your Money or Your Life, gettingalife.org includes much thoughtful writing on simplicity and sustainability, and links to a variety of resources.
The Greater Columbus Green Map provides an alternative to the traditional maps with which we are all familiar. The map presents the area through a green lens and reflects the incredible natural, cultural, and economic resources we have in central Ohio.
A consumer guide for the sustainable lifestyle, Green Adviser provides tips and advice on selecting and taking care of consumer products, making healthy food choices, recycling, traveling, and more. A very helpful, resource-rich site.
Nonprofit and nonpartisan, Greenbiz.com works to bring environmental information, resources, and tools to the mainstream business community.
Green Energy Ohio is a not-for-profit organization which promotes environmentally and economically sustainable energy policies and practices in Ohio. Current projects include investigating sites for wind development, working with municipal utilities on green power programs, providing training opportunities for those interested in a career in renewable energy, and promoting residential renewable energy systems for Ohioans.
International Institute for Sustainable Development
IISD advances policy recommendations to foster sustainable development through international trade, economic policy, natural resource management, and other global factors.
John F. Robbins Solar Designer
John F. Robbins is an energy consultant and high-performance home designer in Morningview, Kentucky. He has a long relationship with Simply Living and has consulted with many members on home improvements and renovations. Learn about passive solar energy and other efficient home design techniques on John's web site.
Live Simple: an ebook by John December
A complete electronic book containing a thoughtful and thought-provoking plan for simplfying your life. December, the author of sevearl notable computer guides, offers a pragmatic perspective on lifestyle change.
Many Tracks is the web site of Sue Robishaw & Steve Schmeck, homesteaders and promoters of the simple life. Read about organic gardening, solar energy, recumbant bicycles, and other aspects of a low-impact, healthy lifestyle.
The venerable Original Country Magazine is packed with practical articles on homesteading, garden care, veterinary medicine, human health and more.
National Center for Appropriate Technology
Since 1976 the National Center for Appropriate Technology has been serving economically disadvantaged people by providing information and access to appropriate technologies that can help improve their lives. Learn about small-scale, sustainable projects that are simple, energy conserving, and provide uplift and self-determination for communities.
This web page and resource catalog highlights the history and work of the Your Money or Your Life organization, The New Road Map Foundation, which offers practical tools and approaches for achieving wholeness in personal finances, health and human relations.
A service of the Institute of Global Education, Project NatureConnect offers the Natural Systems Thinking Process, a practical way to practice ecopsychology through sensory activities that connect the user with nature.
One person's labor of love, this newsletter was inspired by a voluntary simplicity circle in Seattle. It's technologically humble and just terrific!
Read selected articles and editorials from The Journal of Voluntary Simplicity for support and ideas on how to live more deliberately and joyfully.
Tools for those who are serious about learning to live a more conscious, simple, healthy and earth-friendly lifestyle. Featuring logical, step-by-step ideas, a free newsletter, lists of support groups and study circles around the world, links to other earth-friendly web sites and an on-line resource catalogue.
This well-organized and highly readable site maintained by author Linda Breen Pierce is notable for its over 150-book bibliography and numerous book reviews. The Pierce Simplicity Study is an in-depth survey of individuals engaged in the practice of simplicity.
Smart Growth Network (requires Javascript)
Sprawl Watch Clearinghouse
These two organizations work to promote appropriate development, protect existing communities and fight urban sprawl. They are recommended contacts for anyone concerned about the quality of urban life and protection of areas in danger of urbanization.
SOAR Energy: A Solar and Renewable Energy Buyer's Cooperative
The Simply Living board has endorsed offering a renewable energy source to Simply Living members through SOAR--A Solar and Renewable Energy Buyers Cooperative. Learn more about this member-owned energy aggregator and its work to promote green power and help make energy more afforfdbale and clean.
State Public Interest Research Groups
The State PIRGs work to protect the environment, fight for consumers, take back government by and for the people, and empower students.
Surface Transportation Policy Project
STPP is a non-profit organization working to ensure a diversified transportation system. Through its Alliance for a New Transportation Charter, STPP is building a network of diverse groups supportive of major revision to the current national transportation priorities. Simply Living is a member of the Alliance for a New Transportation Charter.
An online center for information relating to green business, this site includes job postings, newsbriefs, business-to-business resources, and opportunitites for activists.
This page on the Sierra Club web site teaches about use of goods and services that satisfy basic needs and improve quality of life while minimizing the usage of irreplaceable natural resources and the byproducts of toxic materials, waste, and pollution.
Sustainable Worthington promotes action VERY locally - in Worthington, Ohio. Please join us if you would like to: develop a more walkable, bikeable, bus-friendly community; encourage year-round access to locally grown food; support a greener community; build a more vibrant community and local economy; and work with other communities to develop regional sustainability practices.
Look at new articles posted each week or participate in the interactive Cafe Utne and find common interests and divergent opinions.
The Waste Not Center is operated by the Central Ohio Sustainability Alliance. The Center receives donations from businesses of supplies that would otherwise be discarded and makes them available to teachers, artists and others for various types of projects. The Center accomplishes the dual objectives of enabling teachers to obtain materials for their work that would otherwise be unaffordable and reducing the burden on local solid waste disposal systems.
Wholistic Planet is an eco-friendly home and personal care products store in Canal Winchester and an online store. Owned and operated by a Simply Living member, Wholistc Planet is a source for earth-friendly baby goods, home and garden products, gifts and more.
Worldcarfree.net is a clearinghouse of information from around the world on how to revitalise our towns and cities and create a sustainable future. If you are interested in reducing your car use, also check out eRideShare, a nationwide listing of carpool opportunities.
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