The New Dream Blog
In our blog, we feature stories, tips, and commentary from contributors around the world on topics ranging from
consumerism and parenting to how to live a fuller life with less. Enjoy!
Interested in contributing a guest post? Please review our submission guidelines.
Reward Yourself with Time and Creativity in the New Year
by Wendy Philleo | December 19, 2011
A lot of people can’t stand New Year’s resolutions, but I enjoy thinking about all the possibilities when a fresh year lies ahead.
"Greatest Board Game of All Time" Launches Environmental Spin-Off
by Jeffrey Steuben | December 15, 2011
New oil-consumption scenario for The Settlers of Catan brings eye-opening lessons about resource consumption and our impact on the world.
Five Years After Banning Outdoor Ads, Brazil's Largest City Is More Vibrant Than Ever
by Amy Curtis | December 8, 2011
In São Paolo, the removal of logos and slogans exposed previously overlooked architecture, revealing a rich urban beauty that was long hidden.
What Is "Enough"? Achieving the Right Balance in Our Lives and Families
by Suzita Cochran | December 5, 2011
Whether it’s a material item like shoes or a non-material one like free time, how do you know when you have enough of something?
Learning to "Share" for a More Cooperative Future
by Jennifer Prediger | December 1, 2011
At SHARE New York, participants came together to talk about turning economic disillusionment into something more productive.
5 Reasons to Celebrate Buy Nothing Day
by Wen Lee | November 17, 2011
All around the world, people will be celebrating Buy Nothing Day to take a stand against rampant consumerism and reclaim the holidays.
The Pervasiveness of Product Placement: A Review of Spurlock's New Film
by Amy Curtis | November 17, 2011
Morgan Spurlock's new film exposes the subversive role of product placement in American media.
Does Your Town Need a Happiness Initiative?
by Lisa Mastny | November 17, 2011
What if you could accurately measure the happiness of your community based on parameters like physical health, material well-being, and time balance?
Living Lighter
by New Dream | November 4, 2011
Living Lighter is a colorful pamphlet filled with helpful tips and resources for reducing your consumer footprint.
Treat Yourself to a Less Wasteful, More Meaningful Halloween
by Amy Curtis | October 19, 2011
Learn how you can experience a magically spooky Halloween night without all the shopping, sugar, and excess waste.
Weaving a Sustainable Future: An Interview with Gay Nicholson
by Lisa Mastny | October 13, 2011
The founder of Sustainable Tompkins in New York State talks about how she's helped her community lay the groundwork for sustainability.
The Company That Wants You to Buy Less
by Wen Lee | October 11, 2011
Patagonia is asking customers to buy less and buy used—something that flies in the face of everything we know about commercial business.
The “Gendering” of Our Kids’ Toys, and What We Can Do About It
by Elizabeth Sweet | October 7, 2011
On a quest to find a gender-neutral toy for her daughter, an inquisitive mother delves into the magical history of pink and blue branding.
Power Tools to the People: BORROW THIS IDEA
by Jason M. Hatch | October 4, 2011
The founder of Oregon's first tool library describes how he borrowed an idea and created a real resource for his neighborhood.
Bikes, E-Waste, Petlessness, Oh My! Reflections from Portland
by Erik Assadourian | September 30, 2011
This week I had the opportunity to visit Portland, and it was refreshing to see so many efforts to grow a sustainable culture wafting out of the Rose City. There were some scary trends oozing out from there as well. But let’s start with the positive: