Radio Australia

A survey has found Australian consumers are deeply concerned about the environment, but many are unwilling to pay the higher costs that would accompany an emissions trading scheme.

The Guardian

Japan is to carry carbon footprint labels on food packaging and other products in an ambitious scheme to persuade companies and consumers to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.

The labels, to appear on dozens of items including food and drink, detergents and electrical appliances from next spring, will go further than similar labels already in use elsewhere.

The Guardian

The scale of British water consumption and its impact around the world is revealed in a new report today, which warns of the hidden levels needed to produce food and clothing.

The Globe and Mail

By Thomas Homer-Dixon and Stewart Elgie

Modern capitalist markets are among the most amazing institutions humankind has ever created. But when it comes to conserving Earth’s natural environment, our markets are badly broken. For our planet’s future – and for our future prosperity – we must fix them.

The Story of Stuff with Annie Leonard is a fact-filled 20 minute video outlining the consequences of our obsessive consumption pattern. If everyone consumed at the rate of the United States, we will need 2 to 3 earths to sustain it. She also stresses that resources, people, communities and the environment are all wasted as a result. And, at the end of 6 months, 99% of what was harvested, mined and transported becomes trash. Click here to watch the video.

A recent survey of 22,000 U.S. consumers, conducted by Information Resources, Inc. (IRI), showed that approximately 50% considered at least one sustainability factor (organic, eco-friendly products, eco-friendly packaging and fair treatment of employees and suppliers) in their purchases of consumer packaged goods.

According to the Worldwatch Institute, Americans are using 100 billion plastic shopping bags a year, or 330 bags per person a year.