Living the Dream: Vail Ryan – "Dreaming as Hard as I Can

Blog   |   by Edna Rienzi   |   February 28, 2014

Pennsylvania resident Vail Ryan describes his struggles in transitioning from "cube farm" worker to empowered environmental educator.

America the Possible: A Manifesto, Part II

Blog   |   by James Gustave Speth   |   July 2, 2012

We need a compelling vision for a new future, a vision of a better country—America the Possible—that is still within our power to reach.

Bangor Daily News: Our Problem With Stuff

Blog   |   by Mark W. Anderson   |   February 24, 2016

Boston College sociologist Juliet Schor explores the issue of stuff in our industrial society; her work among that of others spawned the Center for a New American Dream. 

The Balance: What Is the American Dream Today?

Blog   |   by Kimberly Amadeo   |   October 29, 2018

The Center for a New American Dream envisions "... a focus on more of what really matters, such as creating a meaningful life, contributing to community and society, valuing nature, and spending time with family and friends."

Rethinking Plastic, Consumer Choices, and Our Values as Americans

Blog   |   by Dyaami D’Orazio   |   September 18, 2019

"We consume to have fun, to fit in, for convenience, to fill the spaces between ourselves and our families...and because the structure of society forces us to."

Tackling the Twin Threats of Population and Consumption: An Interview with Robert Engelman

Blog   |   by Lisa Mastny   |   February 23, 2012

The new head of Worldwatch says we need to address both population growth and rising consumption if we hope to bring about a more sustainable world.

Finding Our Way Out of the Sprawl: An Interview with Mark Valentine

Blog   |   by Lisa Mastny   |   September 7, 2011

A sustainability consultant talks about the livability challenges facing U.S. communities today and the glimmers of hope he sees around the country.

Free Time: The Forgotten American Dream

Blog   |   by Lisa Mastny   |   June 20, 2013

A new book describes how Americans have distanced themselves from their historical yearnings for free time, in favor of a culture of overwork.

Great Summer Reads: 2018 Edition

Blog   |   by New Dream   |   May 8, 2018

We asked members of our Facebook group to post a comment about a book that's inspired them to make change. Check out their responses!

Solutions to the Pandemic Are Hiding in Plain Sight

Blog   |   by Ashley Colby   |   June 8, 2020

Normally, in times of crisis, we look to the technocrats—highly trained doctors, technologists, and bureaucrats—for answers. What if we looked to how communities take care of each other instead?

5 Ways to Show Up for Social Change in 2020

Blog   |   by Raagini Appadurai   |   January 31, 2020

In the pivotal decade that’s just begun, what will get us through? How will we adapt and evolve, even in the face of increasing pressures on people and the planet?

Youth Perspective: Why We Need Equity and Empathy to Move Our Communities Forward

Blog   |   by New Dream   |   April 16, 2019

Former Youth Fellow Josmar Torres talks about the challenges facing his community and the important roles that empathy and political change can play in creating a brighter, more equitable future.

How to Protect Ourselves by Protecting Each Other

Blog   |   by Christina Lewis   |   April 26, 2020

COVID-19 has ripped through our society and exposed us at the seams. Forced to confront glaring discrepancies, we now see how vulnerable our society really is. What will get us through? 

New Dream 2018 Youth Fellows

Custom Pages   |   August 15, 2018

Great Summer Reads: 2019 Edition

Blog   |   by New Dream   |   June 21, 2019

Looking for a great summer read? Here’s a list of our favorite recent (or recent to us!) books.