Reducing Consumption

Hi Jack,

I sent another reply to the listserv about A Nurtured World Non-profit on a similar topic, but they do use an approach which equates money, satisfaction, and environment to reduce consumption. The average person learns the approach in the class saves $1,500 per year and they've had savings as high as $11,000 in a year. They measure the reduction in consumption (resources, pollution reduction, etc.)... www.nurturedworld.org is the site and I know that EPA grant-funded work in this area for them and they probably have some reports on the topic. Not sure if it's on the website but Susan Roothaan, the ED, can be contacted directly.

Regards,
Elizabeth

Elizabeth Frisch,
President Culture Technologies, Inc.
5437 Hitcher Bend Austin, TX 78749-4240
v (512) 656-7518
f (512) 301-1128
[email protected]
www.culturetechnologies.com

Just going on spoken feed back, rather than proper data, encouraging people to buy local produce from a organic / local box delivery scheme means that people go to the supermarket less & end up buying less products that they didn't actually go in there to buy - ie you go in for a loaf of bread & some milk & come out with 2-4-1 biscuits, soda, chips, etc. People have said to me that although they spend a little more on the actual products (on the fruit & veg through the delivery box), they spend less in total shopping.

Cheers
A

There is also the 'Well Being' studies pioneered by the New Economics foundation (nef) in the UK, & followed up by the Australia institute in Oz. It basically points out that increase GDP & standard of living above a certain level for health & comfort doesn't make us any happier. Hence there isn't any point in buying loads more junk, cos it only lines the pockets of companies & does nothing for our own well being. www.neweconomics.org Loads of other great stuff on there too, you can get lost for days...