Sustainability

Gross National Happiness Index
Instead of measuring Gross national product, this tool measures the happiness of a country.  What is money for after all?

Happy Planet Index
Another alternative to the GNP (Gross National Product)

Carl Sagan: The Pale Blue Dot (5 min video)
This great short 5 minute video reminds us of the treasure that this, the only earth we have, is for all people, in all times.
Confronting the Climate Cranks    (The Nation)
Mark Hertsgaard has a refreshing action-oriented approach to the "climate cranks" (those who refuse to look at hard science regarding climate change but rather make up their own facts). He also speaks touchingly, as a parent, about the impact they will have on "generation hot" (those children born after June 23 1988 the day "the world was put on notice" about the dangers of Climate Change through the testimony of James Hanson before Congress.)
This is a clarion call to action before the earth becomes too hot.
Bill McKibben: Climate Change Is Our Most Urgent Challenge    (The Nation)
Listen to Bill McKibben, founder of 350.org, talk about the current situation re: climate change and the urgent need for action.
Rob Newman, History of Oil    (45 minute video and links to related videos)
Robert's stand-up act examines the history of the last 100 years or so by putting oil center-stage. Brilliant!
Thom Hartman, Threshold    (book description and short reviews)
Radical in its scope and boldness but simple in its commonsense logic, “Threshold” illustrates the mistakes we have made--as a culture, as a country, and as individuals--and provides the inspiration and motivation readers are looking for to build a better, more sustainable world for all.
Colin Tudge, Feeding People is Easy     (article)
Everyone who is ever liable to be born could be well fed, forever, not simply on basic provender but to the highest standards with nutrition and gastronomy. That is not all that matters, of course, but if we get the food right then everything else that we need and want in life—good health, fine landscapes, the company of other species, peace, amity, personal fulfillment—can start to fall into place.
Michael Pollen, In Defense of Food     (book)
Michael Pollan is the author of In Defense of Food: An Eater’s Manifesto, winner of the James Beard Award, and The Omnivore's Dilemma, which was named one of the ten best books of the year by both the New York Times and the Washington Post. Previous books include Second Nature, The Botany of Desire, and A Place of My Own. Pollan appears in Food, Inc. a documentary and The Botany of Desire, which was broadcast on public television on October 28, 2009. A 10 minute video on YouTube explores Pollan's vision about food. Pollan is a contributing writer to the New York Times Magazine and the Knight Professor of Journalism at UC Berkeley.
Antonia Juhasz, The Tyranny of Oil    (book)
Juhasz investigates the true state of the U.S. oil industry—uncovering its virtually unparalleled global power, influence over our elected officials, its lack of regulatory oversight, the truth behind $150-a-barrel oil, $4.50-a-gallon gasoline, and the highest profit in corporate history. Exposing an industry that thrives on secrecy, Juhasz shows how Big Oil manages to hide its business dealings from policy makers, legislators, and most of all, consumers. She reveals exactly how Big Oil gets what it wants—through money, influence, and lies. The Tyranny of Oil offers both a new take on problems and a new set of solutions as Juhasz puts forward an immediate call to action—a formula for reining in the industry, its governmental lobbying power, environmental destruction, and violence while reducing global dependence on oil. Her thought-provoking answers to the most pressing energy questions speak directly to readers concerned about oil and gas prices, global warming, wars for oil, and America’s place in the world. With the major players in the world’s most powerful industry charged with collusion, price-gouging, anti-competitive behavior, and unabashed greed, Juhasz calls boldly for the breakup of Big Oil. Drawing on considerable historical research, Juhasz explores the parallels between today’s companies and Standard Oil, the most powerful corporation of the early 20th century, whose stranglehold on the economy and government was broken only by the vision and persistence of activists and like-minded politicians. We are in a similar position today, she argues, with the 2008 elections offering a unique opportunity for ordinary Americans to come together, reclaim their voices, and shore up our nation’s crumbling democratic foundation. The program was produced by Peninsula Peace and Justice Center in Palo Alto, CA, on November 1, 2008. Juhasz investigates the true state of the U.S. oil industry—uncovering its virtually unparalleled global power, influence over our elected officials, its lack of regulatory oversight, the truth behind $150-a-barrel oil, $4.50-a-gallon gasoline, and the highest profit in corporate history.  Written in 2008, her work is even more relevant now.
Also view a 57 minute video of a lecture about the book plus links to related videos.
Nancy Folbret, The Case for Worker Co-ops    (article)
This article makes the case for worker owned cooperatives and what they have to contribute to correcting our economy.
Food Inc     (movie)
This movie shows how our food is produced, the ever increasing monopoly of a few US corporations on the production of food and how it has shaped the production of food in ways that are disastrous for the health of consumers, producers and the environment alike. This is a must watch for everyone so you know what you are putting in your mouth and vote with your wallet at the grocery store.
Lester Brown, Plan B 4.0    (book)
This comprehensive book looks at all the problems facing humanity today: global warming, over-population, growing water shortages, loss of top soil, environmental crisis, etc. Brown systematically lays out the problems we face in the first half of the book. In the second half of the book he lays out how they could be solved. The first half is painful to read, but the second half makes it worth it. His hopeful message is: it is not too late if we can muster the political will to do it -- the technological and social solutions exist already! He has also made the whole book available online out of the desire to just get the info out. Brown has also faithfully updated it every few years.
Bioneerss    (organization)
Link to CEDF speaker telling about the creation of legal rights for the environment – an idea whose time has come.
But will it make you happy?   (The New York Times)
Read this article about a couple who decides to live with less.   What are our choices really?

Published directories and guidess

Good Guide: This website ranks common household products in terms of environmental impact (during production), labor practice and health effects. Check it out for more justice in your consumerism: www.goodguide.com
The Better World Shopping Guide: www.betterworldshopper.org National Green Page:  www.greenamerica.org 265 pages. “Thousands of Eco-friendly Socially Responsible Products and Services” from environmentally responsible businesses. Produced by Green America (Co-op America). —Wide ranging, well-organized, user-friendly.  Check out their "community Investing Resource Center" for a lot of pertinent information for socially responsible investing.
Natural Choice Directory of Puget Soundd www.naturalchoice.net Ample catalog available free at Puget Consumers Co-ops, and other outlets. “Green Resources, Health Services, Natural Food, Remedies and Products, Mind and Spirit.” —Well-organized, user-friendly, local
Re-Direct Guide www.redirectguide.com A big (320 pages) catalog, available for free at Powell’s Books in Portland, OR (and many other places, I’d guess). Covers the general Portland OR, Vancouver WA area. “Earth, Economy, Equity, Choce. Sustainable living business directory and resource guide.” –Very well-organized, extensive, impressive.