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NGOs Doing Good Stuff

 

Organizations To Contact

What follows is a list of organizations working on the issues raised in The Story of Stuff. This list is not exhaustive. At this stage, we have limited the list to organizations in the U.S. Many more internationally can be found at wiserearth.org, an online community directory and networking forum that maps and connects non-governmental organizations working on the critical environmental and social issues of our times.

To add your own organization, please post your profile on wiserearth.org in order to connect with others around the world with shared interests.

 

Extraction

Forests

Amazon Watch
www.amazonwatch.org
Amazon Watch works to defend the environment and rights of the indigenous peoples of the Amazon basin.

Certified Forest Product Council
www.certifiedwood.org
The Certified Forest Product Council offers third-party certification and labeling for sustainably harvested forest products, holds seminars and training, provides assistance in purchasing certified products and promotes facilities that use certified products.

Conservatree
www.conservatree.org
Conservatree is dedicated to converting paper markets into environmental papers.

Forest Ethics
www.forestethics.org
ForestEthics is a nonprofit environmental organization which works to turn corporate adversaries into allies so that they can protect endangered forests and implement sound policies.

Forest Stewardship Council
www.fsc.org
The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is an international organization that brings people together to find solutions which promote responsible stewardship of the world's forests.

Greenpeace
www.greenpeace.org
Greenpeace is the leading independent campaigning organization that uses peaceful direct action and creative communication to expose global environmental problems and to promote solutions that are essential to a green and peaceful future.

National Wildlife Federation
www.nwf.org
The mission of the National Wildlife Federation is to inspire Americans to protect wildlife for our children's future.

Rainforest Action Network
www.ran.org
The Rainforest Action Network is campaigning to break America’s oil addiction, reduce our reliance on coal, protect endangered forests and Indigenous rights, and stop destructive investments around the world.

Rainforest Alliance
www.rainforest-alliance.org
The Rainforest Alliance works to conserve biodiversity and ensure sustainable livelihoods by transforming land-use practices, business practices and consumer behavior.

Sierra Club
www.sierraclub.org
The Sierra Club works to explore, enjoy protect the wild places of the earth while practicing and promoting the responsible use of the earth's ecosystems and resources.

Wildfarm Alliance
www.wildfarmalliance.org
The Wildfarm Alliance promotes agriculture that helps protect and restore wild nature, by raising awareness of the need for wildlife friendly agriculture and by building an alliance between conservation biologists and sustainable agriculture advocates.

You can find even more groups working on forest issues, and add yours at: http://wiserearth.org/organization/search?q=forests&commit=Search


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Mining

Appalachian Voices
www.appvoices.org
Appalachian Voices brings people together to solve the environmental problems having the greatest impact on the central and southern Appalachian Mountains.

Earthworks
www.earthworksaction.org
Earthworks is a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting communities and the environment from the destructive impacts of mineral development, in the U.S. and worldwide.

End Mountaintop Removal Action and Resource Center www.ilovemountains.org
The End Mountaintop Removal Action and Resource Center works to end mountaintop removal mining through education and advocacy.

Indigenous Environmental Network
www.ienearth.org
The Indigenous Environmental Network is a network of Indigenous Peoples empowering Indigenous Nations and communities towards sustainable livelihoods, demanding environmental justice and maintaining the Sacred Fire of their traditions.

You can find even more groups working on mining or add yours at: http://wiserearth.org/aof/94



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Oil and Gas Extraction

Amazon Watch
www.amazonwatch.org
Amazon Watch works to defend the environment and rights of the indigenous peoples of the Amazon basin.

Earthrights International
www.earthrights.org
Earthrights International is a nonprofit group of activists, organizers, and lawyers with expertise in human rights, the environment, and corporate and government accountability.

Oil and Gas Accountability Project (A project of Earthworks)
http://www.earthworksaction.org/oil_and_gas.cfm
OGAP works in United States with tribal, urban and rural communities to protect their homes and the environment from the devastating impacts of oil and gas development.

Oil Change International
www.priceofoil.org
Oil Change International campaigns to expose the true costs of oil and facilitate the coming transition towards clean energy.

Post Carbon Institute
www.postcarbon.org
Post Carbon Institute is a think, action, and education tank offering research, project tools, education and information to implement proactive strategies to adapt to an energy constrained world. The development of Post Carbon Institute came out of concern for the environmental, social, political and economic ramifications of global over-reliance on cheap energy.

Rainforest Action Network
www.ran.org
The Rainforest Action Network is campaigning to break America’s oil addiction, reduce our reliance on coal, protect endangered forests and Indigenous rights, and stop destructive investments around the world.

You can find even more groups working on oil and gas, add yours at: http://wiserearth.org/aof/284
http://wiserearth.org/aof/114
http://wiserearth.org/aof/161



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Water

Corporate Accountability International (Bottled Water Campaign) www.stopcorporateabuse.org
Corporate Accountability International is a membership organization that protects people by waging and winning campaigns that challenge irresponsible and dangerous corporate actions around the world.

Council of Canadians
www.canadians.org
The Council of Canadians works to protect Canadian independence by promoting progressive policies on fair trade, clean water, energy security, public health care, and other issues of social and economic concern to Canadians.

Food and Water Watch
www.foodandwaterwatch.org
Food and water watch works with grassroots organizations and other allies around the world to stop the corporate control of our food and water. They are committed to creating an economically and environmentally viable future.

Indigenous Environmental Network
www.ienearth.org
The Indigenous Environmental Network is a network of Indigenous Peoples empowering Indigenous Nations and communities towards sustainable livelihoods, demanding environmental justice and maintaining the Sacred Fire of their traditions.

International Rivers
www.internationalrivers.org
International Rivers Network protects rivers and defends the rights of communities that depend on them. IRN opposes destructive dams and the development model they advance, and encourages better ways of meeting people's needs for water, energy and protection from damaging floods.

You can find even more groups working on water, add yours at:
http://wiserearth.org/aof/13



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Indigenous People

Indigenous Environmental Network
www.ienearth.org
The Indigenous Environmental Network is a network of Indigenous Peoples empowering Indigenous Nations and communities towards sustainable livelihoods, demanding environmental justice and maintaining the Sacred Fire of their traditions.

International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs
www.IWGIA.org
IWGIA supports indigenous peoples' struggle for human rights, self-determination, right to territory, control of land and resources, cultural integrity, and the right to development.

You can find even more groups working on indigenous peoples issues, and add yours at:
http://wiserearth.org/aof/238

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Production

Environmental Health, Environmental Justice, Toxic Products, Pollution and Community Impacts

Asian Pacific Environmental Network
www.apen4ej.org
APEN seeks to empower low-income Asian Pacific Islander (API) communities to achieve environmental and social justice. APEN believes that the environment includes everything around us: where we live, work and play. And we strive to build grassroots organizations that will improve the health, well-being and political strength of our communities.

BE SAFE Campaign
www.besafenet.com
The Center for Health, Environment & Justice's BE SAFE campaign is a nationwide initiative to build support for the precautionary approach and prevent pollution and environmental destruction before it happens.

Biomimicry Institute
www.biomimicryinstitute.org
The mission of The Biomimicry Institute is to naturalize biomimicry in the culture by promoting the transfer of ideas, designs, and strategies from biology to sustainable human systems design.

The Campaign for Clean Cosmetics
www.safecosmetics.org
The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics is a coalition of women's, public health, labor, and environmental health and consumer-rights groups. Their goal is to protect the health of consumers and workers by requiring the health and beauty industry to phase out the use of chemicals linked to cancer, birth defects and other health problems, and replace them with safer alternatives.

Center for Health, Environment and Justice
www.chej.org
The Center for Health, Environment and Justice works to build healthy communities, with social justice, economic well-being, and democratic governance. They believe this can happen when individuals from communities have the power to play an integral role in promoting human health and environmental integrity. Their role is to provide the tools to build strong, healthy communities where people can live, work, learn, play and pray.

Clean Production Action
www.cleanproduction.org
Clean Production Action is a non-profit organization that promotes the use of products that are safer and cleaner across their life cycle for consumers, workers, and communities. Their mission is the societal realization of Clean Production and Sustainable Consumption.

The Connecticut Coalition for Environmental Justice
www.environmental-justice.org
The mission of Connecticut Coalition for Environmental Justice is to protect urban environments primarily in Connecticut through educating communities, through promoting changes in local, state, and national policy, and through promoting individual, corporate and governmental responsibility towards our environment. They define environment as including the places that we live, work, play and go to school.

Ecology Center (Ann Arbor)
www.ecocenter.org
The Ecology Center works for a just and healthy environment through grassroots organizing, advocacy, education, and demonstration projects.

Environmental Health Coalition
www.environmentalhealth.org
Environmental Health Coalition, EHC is dedicated to achieving environmental and social justice. They believe that justice is accomplished by empowered communities acting together to make social change. They organize and advocate to protect public health and the environment threatened by toxic pollution.

Environmental Working Group
www.ewg.org
The Environmental Working Group is a research organization dedicated to improving public health and protecting the environment by reducing pollution in air, water and food.

ETC Group
www.etcgroup.org
The ETC Group addresses the socioeconomic and ecological issues surrounding new technologies that could have an impact on the world's poorest and most vulnerable citizens.

Factor Ten Institute
www.factor10-institue.org
The Factor Ten Institute was created to provide practical support for achieving significant advances in resource productivity in the production and consumption sectors.

Global Community Monitor
www.gcmonitor.org
Global Community Monitor (GCM) is an environmental justice and human rights non profit that empowers industrial communities to recreate a clean healthy and truly sustainable environment. GCM was created to provide hands-on tools for impacted communities to monitor their own neighborhoods.

Greenaction
www.greenaction.org
Greenaction mobilizes community power to win victories that change government and corporate policies and practices to protect health and to promote environmental justice.

GreenBlue
www.GreenBlue.org
GreenBlue is a nonprofit institute that stimulates the creative redesign of industry by focusing the expertise of professional communities to create practical solutions, resources, and opportunities for implementing sustainability.

Green Seal
www.greenseal.org
Green Seal identifies and promotes products and services that cause less toxic pollution and waste, conserve resources and habitats and minimize global warming and ozone depletion.

Health Care Without Harm
www.noharm.org
Health Care Without Harm is an international coalition of over 460 organizations in more than 50 countries, working to transform the health care sector so it is no longer a source of harm to people and the environment.

Healthy Building Network
www.healthybuilding.net
The Healthy Building Network (HBN) is a national network of green building professionals, environmental and health activists, socially responsible investment advocates and others who are interested in promoting healthier building materials as a means of improving public health and preserving the global environment.

Indigenous Environmental Network
www.ienearth.org
The Indigenous Environmental Network is a network of Indigenous Peoples empowering Indigenous Nations and communities towards sustainable livelihoods, demanding environmental justice and maintaining the Sacred Fire of their traditions.

International POPs Elimination Network
www.ipen.org
IPEN is an international network working for the global elimination of persistent organic pollutants, on an expedited yet socially equitable basis.

Lowell Center for Sustainable Production
www.sustainableproduction.org
The Lowell Center for Sustainable Production at the University of Massachusetts Lowell works with businesses, communities, and institutions to promote the development of sustainable systems of production and consumption. We help find innovative ways to ruse natural resources efficiently, minimize wastes, avoid toxics, reduce expenses and protect workers.

My House is Your House
www.myhouseisyourhouse.org
My House is Your House is a community education and consumer organizing campaign tied to the feature documentary Blue Vinyl. Their goal is to support the growing national grassroots movement to transform the polyvinyl chloride (PVC) industry so that it is no longer a source of environmental and human harm.

O2
www.o2.org
O2 provides tools for designers and articles on sustainable design.

Southwest Organizing Project
www.swop.net
SWOP is a statewide multi-racial, multi-issue, community based membership organization working to empower their communities to realize racial and gender equality and social and economic justice.

Toxics Action Center
www.toxicsaction.org/
TAC helps communities in New England wage effective campaigns to force stubborn polluters and unresponsive bureaucracies to protect the health and safety of their communities.

Washington Toxics Coalition
www.watoxics.org
Washington Toxics Coalition protects public health and the environment by eliminating toxic pollution. WTC promotes alternatives, advocates policies, empowers communities, and educates people to create a healthy environment.

West Harlem Environmental Action (WE ACT)
www.weact.org
WE ACT evolved into an environmental justice organization committed to empowering the community to become a vocal, informed and proactive force that determines and implements its vision of what its environment can and should be.

You can find even more groups working on production issues, and add yours at:
http://wiserearth.org/aof/764 (greening industry)
http://wiserearth.org/aof/54 (environmental health)
http://wiserearth.org/aof/255 (sustainable production)
http://wiserearth.org/aof/319 (industrial ecology)
http://wiserearth.org/aof/95 (sustainable materials)
http://wiserearth.org/aof/117 (pollution)
http://wiserearth.org/aof/55 (environmental justice)
http://wiserearth.org/aof/86 (air quality and pollution)
http://wiserearth.org/aof/264 (asthma)

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Electronics Production and Disposal

As You Sow
www.asyousow.org
AYS launched the Corporate Social Responsibility Program (CSRP) to use shareholder advocacy and the financial markets to catalyze positive change within public held companies.

Basel Action Network
www.ban.org
BAN works to ensure that exports of hazardous electronic waste (Particularly from the USA) to developing countries, exposed by BAN, are eliminated and replaced with producer responsibility and green design programs/legislation.

Electronics TakeBack Coalition
www.electronicstakeback.org
The goal of the Computer TakeBack Campaign is to protect the health and well being of electronics users, workers, and the communities where electronics are produced and discarded by requiring consumer electronics manufacturers and brand owners to take full responsibility for the life cycle of their products, through effective public policy requirements or enforceable agreements.

Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition
www.svtc.org
Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition is a diverse organization engaged in research, advocacy and grassroots organizing to promote human health and environmental justice in response to the rapid growth of the high-tech industry

You can find even more groups working on electronics issues, and add yours at:
http://wiserearth.org/aof/764 (greening of industry)
http://wiserearth.org/aof/95 (sustainable materials)
http://wiserearth.org/aof/255 (sustainable production)
http://wiserearth.org/aof/794 (sustainability and technology)

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Worker issues related to health, worker safety, worker rights, environment

Blue-Green Alliance
www.bluegreenalliance.org
The Blue Green Alliance focuses on Global Warming and Clean Energy, Fair Trade, and Reducing Toxics, including chemical security and "green chemistry."

Ella Baker Center (Green Jobs, Not Jails program)
www.ellabakercenter.org/page.php?pageid=5
Green-Collar Jobs Campaign creates opportunities in the green economy for poor people and people of color through policy advocacy, public outreach, and an employment pipeline - the Green Jobs Corps.

Good Jobs First
Goodjobsfirst.org
Good Jobs First is a national policy resource center for grassroots groups and public officials, promoting corporate and government accountability in economic development and smart growth for working families.

Green Worker Cooperatives
www.greenworker.coop
Green Worker Cooperatives is working to build a movement for a different kind of economy, one built on environmental justice; empowered communities; and democratic workplaces the South Bronx.

Miami Workers Center
www.miamiworkerscenter.org
The Miami Workers Center helps working class people build grassroots organizations and develop their leadership capacity through aggressive community organizing campaigns and education programs. The Center also actively builds coalitions and enters alliances to amplify progressive power and win racial, community, social, and economic justice.

SustainLabour: International Labour Foundation for Sustainable Development
www.sustainlabour.org
SustainLabour works to involve trade unions in environmental debates, to integrate labour issues in the environmental agenda, to engage workers in defense of the environment, and to encourage changes that are in favour of environment and workers.

TransfairUSA
www.transfairusa.org
TransFair USA enables sustainable development and community empowerment by cultivating a more equitable global trade model that benefits farmers, workers, consumers, industry and the earth. We achieve our mission by certifying and promoting Fair Trade products.

United for a Fair Economy
www.faireconomy.org
United for a Fair Economy raises awareness that concentrated wealth and power undermine the economy, corrupt democracy, deepen the racial divide, and tear communities apart.

United Students Against Sweatshops
www.studentsagainstsweatshops.org
United Students Against Sweatshops is an international student movement of campuses and individual students fighting for sweatshop free labor conditions and workers' rights.

You can find even more groups working on labor and green jobs issues, and add yours at:
http://wiserearth.org/aof/90 (workers rights)
http://wiserearth.org/aof/233 (worker health and safety)
http://wiserearth.org/aof/80 (community enterprise)
http://wiserearth.org/aof/107 (living wages)


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Energy and Climate issues

Circle of Life Foundation
www.circleoflifefoundaiton.org
The Circle of Life Foundation distributes tools to help people take individual actions to preserve the earth, researches local environmental issues and promotes other environmentally and activism focused non-profits.

Energy Action Coalition
www.energyaction.net/main/
Energy Action is a coalition of more than 40 organizations from across the US and Canada, founded and led by youth to help support and strengthen the student and youth clean energy movement in North America.

Energy Star
www.energystar.gov
The website contains a list of products that have met the US DOE's standards for energy efficiency.

GAIA (Zero Waste for Zero Warming Campaign)
www.no-burn.org
GAIA is organizing against industry efforts to have garbage classified as renewable energy and is promoting Zero Waste approaches which converse energy and avoid greenhouse gas production.

US Green Building Council
www.usgbc.org
The US Green Building Council strives to accelerate the adoption of green building practices, technologies, policies and standards through market-based solutions. Its web site includes tools for builders.

Green Power Market Development Group
www.thegreenpowergroup.org
The Green Power Market Development Group is dedicated to building corporate markets for green power.

Green Scissors
www.greenscissors.org
Green Scissors is a coalition of taxpayer and environmental groups that targets energy and environmental programs that waste tax dollars and contribute to health and environmental problems.

Greenpeace
www.greenpeace.org
Greenpeace is the leading independent campaigning organization that uses peaceful direct action and creative communication to expose global environmental problems and to promote solutions that are essential to a green and peaceful future.

Institute for Energy and Environmental Research
www.ieer.org
The Institute for Energy and Environmental Research is dedicated to increasing public involvement in and control over environmental problems through the democratization of science.

National Religious Partnerships for the Environment
www.nrpe.org
The National Religious Partnerships for the Environment is an alliance of US Jewish and Christian faith groups that integrate a commitment to environmental protection and social justice in religious communities.

Rainforest Action Network
www.ran.org
The Rainforest Action Network is campaigning to break America's oil addiction, reduce our reliance on coal, protect endangered forests and Indigenous rights, and stop destructive investments around the world.

Restoring Eden
www.restoringeden.org
Restoring Eden is a Christian group for environmental stewardship whose mission is to "makes hearts bigger, hands dirtier, and voices stronger by encouraging Christians to learn to love, serve, and protect God's creation."

Rising Tide
www.risingtidenorthamerica.org
Rising Tide is an international network born out of the conviction that corporate-friendly and state-sponsored “solutions” to climate change will not save us.

Step it Up
www.stepitup2007.org
Step It Up is a national convergence of people from all walks of life who are committed to safeguarding our communities by addressing the global climate crisis.

Union of Concerned Scientists
www.ucsusa.org
The Union of Concerned Scientists is a science-based organization that works on global warming, fuel-efficient vehicles and renewable energy.

Vote Solar Institute
www.votesolar.org
The Vote Solar Institute promotes a national transition to clean energy by empowering city governments to implement large-scale, cost-effective solar projects.

You can find even more groups working on climate issues, add yours at:
http://wiserearth.org/aof/25 (climate change)
http://wiserearth.org/aof/251 (climate justice)
http://wiserearth.org/aof/6 (greenhouse gases)
http://wiserearth.org/aof/706 (Sustainable Energy Development)
http://wiserearth.org/aof/49 (Energy Efficiency and Conservation)
http://wiserearth.org/aof/161 (alternative fuels)
http://wiserearth.org/aof/50 (energy policy)


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Distribution

Blue-Green Alliance
www.bluegreenalliance.org
The Blue Green Alliance focuses on Global Warming and Clean Energy, Fair Trade, and Reducing Toxics, including chemical security and "green chemistry."

Co-op America
www.coopamerica.org
Co-op America harnesses economic power—the strength of consumers, investors, businesses, and the marketplace—to create a socially just and environmentally sustainable society.

Development Group for Alternative Policies
www.developmentgap.org
The Development Group for Alternative Policies assists the promotion of economic justice across the South, or Third World, by helping to maximize control by poor communities and sectors over their own development in the face of impositions from the North.

Global Exchange
www.globalexchange.org
Global Exchange is a membership-based international human rights organization dedicated to promoting social, economic and environmental justice around the world.

Good Jobs First
www.goodjobsfirst.org
Good Jobs First is a national policy resource center for grassroots groups and public officials, promoting corporate and government accountability in economic development and smart growth for working families.

Public Citizen’s Trade Watch
www.citizen.org/trade/
Global Trade Watch (GTW) promotes democracy by challenging corporate globalization, arguing that the current globalization model is neither a random inevitability nor "free trade."

Sustainable Cotton Project
www.sustainablecotton.org
The Sustainable Cotton Project works to build bridges between farmers, manufacturers and consumers to pioneer markets for certified organically grown cotton.

SustainLabour: International Labour Foundation for Sustainable Development
www.sustainlabour.org
SustainLabour works to involve trade unions in environmental debates, to integrate labour issues in the environmental agenda, to engage workers in defense of the environment, and to encourage changes that are in favour of environment and workers.

TransFair USA
www.transfairusa.org
TransFair USA partners with industry to increase the availability of Fair Trade Certified products, and promotes Fair Trade products to consumers.

United for a Fair Economy
www.faireconomy.org
United for a Fair Economy raises awareness that concentrated wealth and power undermine the economy, corrupt democracy, deepen the racial divide, and tear communities apart.

Wal-Mart Watch
www.walmartwatch.com
Wal-Mart Watch is a campaign and resource center that is intent upon revealing facts about the realities of Wal-Mart, the largest corporation in the world, and its policies and practices.

You can find even more groups working on distribution, trade and big box issues, and add yours at:
http://wiserearth.org/aof/61 (fair trade)
http://wiserearth.org/aof/290 (distributive and economic justice)
http://wiserearth.org/aof/107 (living wages)
http://wiserearth.org/aof/51 (natural capitalism)
http://wiserearth.org/aof/5 (corporate ethics)


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Consumption

Sustainable Consumption, Consumer Rights, Planned Obsolenscence and the Role of Media

Building Green
www.buildinggreen.com
Building Green provides product reviews, an events calendar and features articles on green building materials and practices.

Center for a New American Dream
www.newdream.org
The Center for a New American Dream helps Americans consume responsibly to protect the environment, enhance quality of life, and promote social justice.

Conservatree
www.conservatree.com
Conservatree provides access to articles, reports and newsletters on recycled, tree-free and chlorine-free printing and writing papers.

Consumer's Choice Council
www.consumerscouncil.org
The Consumer's Choice Council is an association of environmental, consumer and human rights organizations from 25 different countries, dedicated to protecting the environment and promoting human rights and basic labor standards through ecolabeling.

Co-op America
www.coopamerica.org
Co-op America harnesses economic power—the strength of consumers, investors, businesses, and the marketplace—to create a socially just and environmentally sustainable society.

Factor Ten Institute
www.factor10-institue.org
The Factor Ten Institute was created to provide practical support for achieving significant advances in resource productivity in the production and consumption sectors.

Food Alliance
www.thefoodalliance.org
The Food Alliance recognizes farmers who produce food in environmentally and socially responsible ways, and educates consumers about the benefits of sustainable agriculture.

FoodRoutes.org
www.foodroutes.org
FoodRoutes.org allows users to locate vendors of locally grown, organic produce.

Global Footprint Network
www.footprintnetwork.org
The Global Footprint Network works to a sustainable economy by advancing the Ecological Footprint, a measurement and management tool that makes the reality of planetary limits relevant to decision-makers throughout the world.

The Green Guide
www.thegreenguide.com
The goal of The Green Guide and www.thegreenguide.com is to serve as a practical, reliable, and trustworthy content source for product choices and daily practices that are better for health and the environment.

Green Schools
www.greenschools.net
The Green Schools Initiative was founded by parent-environmentalists who were shocked by how un-environmental their kids’ schools were and mobilized to improve the environmental health and ecological sustainability of schools in the U.S.

Health Care Without Harm
www.noharm.org
HCWH works with purchasing departments of hospitals to promote environmentally preferably purchasing which both promotes sustainability in the hospitals and increases demand for greener, safer products and materials.

Healthy Building Network
www.healthybuilding.net
The Healthy Building Network (HBN) is a national network of green building professionals, environmental and health activists, socially responsible investment advocates and others who are interested in promoting healthier building materials as a means of improving public health and preserving the global environment.

The Organic Consumers Association
www.organicconsumers.org
The Organic Consumers Association (OCA) campaigns health, justice, and sustainability. The OCA deals with crucial issues of food safety, industrial agriculture, genetic engineering, children's health, corporate accountability, Fair Trade, environmental sustainability and other key topics.

Redefining Progress
www.rprogress.org
Redefining Progress promotes market-based environmental policies that use pricing systems to promote sustainability and equity.

Sustainable Products Purchasers Coalition
www.sppcoalition.org
The Sustainable Products Purchasers Coalition acts a catalyst for the transformation of industry and the marketplace to develop, produce and consume sustainable products utilizing the Coalition's aggregate purchasing power.

Take Back Your Time
www.timeday.org
Take Back Your Time is a major U.S. and Canadian initiative to challenge the epidemic of overwork, over-scheduling and time famine that now threatens our health, our families and relationships, our communities and our environment.

 

You can find even more groups working on consumption issues, and add yours at:
http://wiserearth.org/aof/30 (consumption and green consumers)
http://wiserearth.org/aof/137 (ecolabeling and certification)
http://wiserearth.org/aof/182 (ecological footprint)
http://wiserearth.org/aof/143 (sustainable living)
http://wiserearth.org/aof/332 (sustainability education)


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Planned Obsolescence / Extended Producer Responsibility

California Product Stewardship Council
www.calpsc.org
The California Product Stewardship Council is an organization of local governments from throughout California who aim to shift California's product waste management system from one focused on government funded and ratepayer financed waste diversion to one that relies on producer responsibility in order to reduce public costs and drive improvements in product design that promote environmental sustainability.

Product Policy Institute
www.productpolicy.org
The mission of the Product Policy Institute is to develop and communicate a strong framework for product-focused environmental policies that advance sustainable production and consumption and good governance.

Product Stewardship Institute
www.productstewardshipinstitute.org
The Product Stewardship Institute assists state and local governments throughout the US in developing product-stewardship policies.

 

You can find even more groups working on sustainable design and product stewardship issues, and add yours at:
http://wiserearth.org/aof/803 (sustainable design)
http://wiserearth.org/aof/22 (biomimicry)
http://wiserearth.org/aof/794 (sustainability and technology)
http://wiserearth.org/aof/95 (sustainable materials)
http://wiserearth.org/aof/127 (recycling and reuse)


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The Role of Media/Marketing/Advertising:

Center for a New American Dream (kids and commercialism project)
http://www.newdream.org/kids/index.php
The Center for a New American Dream’s Kids and Commercialism Campaign raises awareness of the effects of marketing on kids and offers parents, educators, and concerned citizens a wealth of info that will provide a broader understanding of what children face today, and offers tips and resources to help parents and others band together to protect children from intrusive and harmful advertising.

Commercial Alert
www.commercialalert.org
Commercial Alert works to keep the commercial culture within its proper sphere, and to prevent it from exploiting children and subverting the higher values of family, community, environmental integrity and democracy.

 

You can find even more groups working on media issues, and add yours at:
http://wiserearth.org/aof/761 (advertising)
http://wiserearth.org/aof/263 (media and communication)


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Disposal

Incineration and Landfills, Recycling and Zero Waste

As You Sow
www.asyousow.org
AYS launched the Corporate Social Responsibility Program (CSRP) to use shareholder advocacy to promote sustainability, including a campaign to increase bottle recycling.

Basel Action Network
www.ban.org
BAN works to prevent the globalization of the toxic chemical crisis. We work in opposition to toxic trade in toxic wastes, toxic products and toxic technologies, that are exported from rich to poorer countries.

Catalog Choice
www.catalogchoice.org
Catalog Choice helps you eliminate unwanted catalogs you receive and save natural resources

Californians Against Waste
www.cawrecycles.org
CAW is dedicated to conserving resources, preventing pollution and protecting California’s environment through the development, promotion and implementation of waste reduction and recycling policies and programs.

California Resource Recovery Association
www.crra.com
CRRA is dedicated to promoting waste reduction, reuse, recycling, pollution prevention, and composting.

Computer Take Back Campaign
www.computertakeback.com
The goal of the Computer TakeBack Campaign is to protect the health and well being of electronics users, workers, and the communities where electronics are produced and discarded by requiring consumer electronics manufacturers and brand owners to take full responsibility for the life cycle of their products, through effective public policy requirements or enforceable agreements.

Ecology Center (Berkeley)
www.ecologycenter.org
The Ecology Center provides information, tools, technical assistance, referrals, political strategies, and models for sustainable living. They address the public need for non-commercial information about ecologically-sensitive practices and the numerous toxic threats to society and the environment.

Environmental Defense
www.environmentaldefense.org
Environmental Defense partners with businesses, governments and communities to find practical environmental solutions.

Environmental Paper Network
www.environmentalpaper.org
The Environmental Paper Network is a diverse group of environmental organizations joined together to support socially and environmentally sustainable transformations within the pulp and paper industry.

Forest Ethics Catalog Campaign
www.forestethics.org/section.php?id=15
The Forest Ethics Catalog Campaign works to promote the use of environmentally sound paper use practices by the producers of America’s magazines.

Freecycle
www.freecycle.org
The Freecycle Network is made up of 4,167 groups with 4,081,000 members across the globe. It's a grassroots and entirely nonprofit movement of people who are giving (& getting) stuff for free in their own towns. It's all about reuse and keeping good stuff out of landfills.

GAIA (Global Anti-Incineration Alliance)
www.no-burn.org
GAIA is a worldwide alliance of non-profit organizations and individuals who recognize that our planet's finite resources, fragile biosphere and the health of people and other living beings are endangered by polluting and inefficient production practices and health-threatening disposal methods.

Grassroots Recycling Network
www.grrn.org
The Grassroots Recycling Network is a national network of waste reduction activists and recycling professionals who set ambitious standards for Zero Waste goals and policies.

Greenaction
www.greenaction.org
Greenaction mobilizes community power to win victories that change government and corporate policies and practices to protect health and to promote environmental justice.

Institute for Local Self Reliance
www.ilsr.org
The Institute for Local Self Reliance works to provide the conceptual framework, strategies and information to aid the creation of ecologically sound and economically equitable communities.

Natural Resources Defense Council
www.nrdc.org
Natural Resources Defense Council, NRDC is an environmental action organization that uses law, science and the support of 1.2 million members and online activists to protect the planet's wildlife and wild places and to ensure a safe and healthy environment for all living things.

Recycled Paper Coalition
www.papercoalition.org
The Recycled Paper Coalition is a consortium of major paper users- including businesses, conservation groups, nonprofits and public entities- that aims to reduce waste by purchasing environmentally preferable paper products, maximizing the efficient use of paper and stimulating a demand for recycled paper products.

Recycled Products Purchasing Cooperative
www.recycledproducts.org
The Recycled Products Purchasing Cooperative provides recycled copy paper at prices competitive with non-recycled counterparts.

Resource Renewal Institute
www.rri.org
The Resource Renewal Institute promotes innovative, long-term and comprehensive green plans worldwide.

ReThink Paper
www.rethinkpaper.org
ReThink Paper attempts to shift current industry practices by providing an accurate and comprehensive overview of ecological paper options and education the end-user about paper-use reduction.

Sierra Club's National Zero Waste Committee
www.sierraclub.org/committees/zerowaste/
The Sierra Club's National Zero Waste Committee aims to lead the transition from traditional end-of-pipe waste "diversion" programs provided by local governments to "cradle to cradle" recycling systems designed, financed, and managed by producers, in order to drive improvements in product design, stimulate local economies and reduce climate change impacts of transportation- and energy-intensive product chains.

Zero Waste International Alliance
www.zwia.org
The Zero Waste International Alliance is working towards a world without waste through public education and practical application of Zero Waste principles.

 

You can find even more groups working on waste, recycling and reuse issues, and add yours at:
http://wiserearth.org/aof/289 (waste management)
http://wiserearth.org/aof/716 (hazardous solid waste)
http://wiserearth.org/aof/127 ( recycling and reuse),
http://wiserearth.org/aof/86 (air quality and pollution)
http://wiserearth.org/aof/55 (environmental justice)
http://wiserearth.org/aof/127 (recycling and reuse)
http://wiserearth.org/aof/28 (composting)
http://wiserearth.org/aof/30 (green consuming)
http://wiserearth.org/aof/141 (sustainable communities)
http://wiserearth.org/aof/95 (sustainable materials)


> back to the top

Other NGOs

Governance, Engaged Democracy, Civil Society, Advocacy and Social Movements

Action Network
www.actionnetwork.org
Created by Environmental Defense, this website sends registered users action alerts by e-mail on legislative issues relation to the environment.

Bank Information Center
www.bicusa.org
The Bank Information Center (BIC) partners with civil society in developing and transition countries to influence the World Bank and other international financial institutions (IFIs) to promote social and economic justice and ecological sustainability.

Center for Economic Policy Research (CEPR)
www.cepr.net
The Center for Economic and Policy Research (CEPR) promotes democratic debate on the most important economic and social issues that affect people's lives.

Fifty Years is Enough Network
www.50years.org
50 Years Is Enough: U.S. Network for Global Economic Justice is a coalition of over 200 U.S. grassroots, women's, solidarity, faith-based, policy, social- and economic-justice, youth, labor and development organizations dedicated to the profound transformation of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Global Rights Rules & Responsibilities (GRRR)
www.grrr-now.org
GRRR reflects an effort by global civil society to promote sustainable development through clearly articulated and enforceable rights, rules and responsibilities for financial institutions and corporations. Our aim is to protect people, communities and the environment from the harmful impacts of international finance by advancing strong, enforceable standards for financial institutions — standards that are based on international law and best practice.

Grassroots Global Justice Alliance
www.ggjalliance.org
Grassroots Global Justice Alliance is an alliance of U.S.-based grassroots groups who are organizing to build an agenda for power for working and poor people. We understand that there are important connections between the local issues we work on and the global context, and we see ourselves as part of an international movement for global justice.

Institute for Policy Studies
www.ips-dc.org/index.htm
The Institute for Policy Studies strengthens social movements with independent research, visionary thinking, and links to the grassroots, scholars and elected officials.

MoveOn.org
www.moveon.org
MoveOn.org works to ensure that like-minded, concerned citizens can influence the outcome of congressional elections, and in turn, the balance of power in Washington, D.C.

U.S. Social Forum
www.ussf2007.org
The USSF provided space to build relationships, learn from each other's experiences, share our analysis of the problems our communities face, and bring renewed insight and inspiration.

World Social Forum
www.forumsocialmundial.org.br
The World Social Forum "…an open meeting place for reflective thinking, democratic debate of ideas, formulation of proposals, free exchange of experiences and inter-linking for effective action, by groups and movements of civil society that are opposed to neo- liberalism and to domination of the world by capital and any form of imperialism, and are committed to building a society centered on the human person".

 

You can find even more groups working on civil society and democracy issues, add yours at:
http://wiserearth.org/aof/699 (democracy and civil society)
http://wiserearth.org/aof/136 (democratic participation)
http://wiserearth.org/aof/286 (good governance)
http://wiserearth.org/aof/222 (human rights and social justice)
http://wiserearth.org/aof/752 (global governance)
http://wiserearth.org/aof/75 (institutional accountability)

Green Cities / Sustainable Communities

Center for Ecoliteracy
www.ecoliteracy.org
The Center for Ecoliteracy aims to foster public understanding of the natural world that leads to sustainable patterns of living.

Community Solutions
www.communitysolutions.org
The mission of Community Solutions is to create opportunities for positive change by promoting and supporting individuals, the strength of families, and the well-being of our communities.

Ella Baker Center
www.ellabakercenter.org
The Ella Baker Center for Human Rights is a strategy and action center working for justice, opportunity and peace in urban America. Based in Oakland, California, they promote positive alternatives to violence and incarceration.

IATP - Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy
www.iatp.org
The mission of IATP is to create environmentally and economically sustainable rural communities and regions through sound agriculture and trade policy.

ICLEI
www.iclei.org
ICLEI—Local Governments for Sustainability is an international association of local governments and national and regional local government organizations that have made a commitment to sustainable development. More than 700 cities, towns, counties, and their associations worldwide comprise ICLEI's growing membership.

Local Government Commission
www.lgc.org
The Local Government Commission works with elected officials and local government to implement policies of sustainability.

National Wildlife Federation- Campus Ecology Program
www.nwf.org/campusecology
The National Wildlife Federation- Campus Ecology Program works to transform the nation's college campuses into living models of an ecologically sustainable society and to train a new generation of environmental leaders.

Natural Resources Defense Council
www.nrdc.org
Natural Resources Defense Council, NRDC is an environmental action organization that uses law, science and the support of 1.2 million members and online activists to protect the planet's wildlife and wild places and to ensure a safe and healthy environment for all living things.

Sightline Institute
www.sightline.org
The Sightline Institute uses research and outreach programs to promote changes in consumption, transportation and tax programs that will lead to sustainability in the US Northwest. It is a good source of information about the impact of over-consumption.

Sustainable Communities Network
www.sustainable.org
The Sustainable Communities Network provides resources and case studies on Smart Growth projects throughout the US.

Sustainable Northwest
www.sustainablenorthwest.org
The Sustainable Northwest works to build partnerships that promote environmentally sound economic development in the Pacific Northwest.

World Wildlife Fund
www.worldwildlife.org
World Wildlife Fund, WWF's mission is the conservation of nature. Using the best available scientific knowledge and advancing that knowledge where they can, they work to preserve the diversity and abundance of life on Earth and the health of ecological systems.

You can find even more groups working on green cities, green living, and sustainable community issues, and add yours at:
http://wiserearth.org/aof/243 (sustainable cities)
http://wiserearth.org/aof/150 (sustainable urban and regional planning)
http://wiserearth.org/aof/310 (urban ecology)
http://wiserearth.org/aof/141 (sustainable communities)

Green Business and Ecological Economics

Alliance for Environmental Innovation
www.environmentalaiddefense.org/alliance
The Alliance for Environmental Innovation focuses on market-based solutions to corporate environmental challenges.

Business Alliance for Local Living Economies
www.livingeconomies.org
BALLE is a growing network of over 4,000 entrepreneurs and small business owners throughout North America representing a wide range of industry sectors: sustainable agriculture, organic/fair trade clothing, renewable energy, main street retail, community banking and capital, green building, independent media, and closed loop manufacturing.

Business for Social Responsibility
www.bsr.org
Business for Social Responsibility is a valuable resource on corporate practices.

Carbohydrate Economy Clearinghouse
www.carbohydrateeconomy.org
The Carbohydrate Economy Clearinghouse provides information on all the faces of the carbohydrate economy (in contrast with the petroleum economy).

Center for a Sustainable Economy
www.sustainable-economy.org
The Center for a Sustainable Economy works to implement taxes, tax incentives and other market-based tools.

Center for Environmental Leadership
www.celb.org
The Center for Environmental Leadership provides a new forum for collaboration between the private sector and the environmental community. The Center promotes business practices that reduce industry's ecological footprint, contribute to conservation and create value for the companies that adopt them.

Earth Economics
www.eartheconomics.org
Earth Economics works to advance and apply the science of ecological economics to promote healthy ecosystems, communities and economies.

Ecotrust
www.conservationeconomy.net
Ecotrust works on a conservation economy program that focuses on integrating sustainability into social, economic and natural systems.

Economic Policy Institute
www.epinet.org
The Economic Policy Institute works on sustainable economies and energy policy.

Future 500
www.globalff.org
Future 500 provides businesses with the tools and techniques for thriving in an environmentally responsible and resource-efficient economy.

GreenBlue
www.GreenBlue.org
GreenBlue is a nonprofit institute that stimulates the creative redesign of industry by focusing the expertise of professional communities to create practical solutions, resources, and opportunities for implementing sustainability.

Inform
www.informinc.org
Inform is an independent research organization that examines the effects of business practices on the environment and human health.

Institute for Ecological Economics
www.uvm.edu/giee
The Institutive for Ecological Economics works to integrate the study and management of ecology and economics.

Institute for Market Transformation
www.imt.org
The Institute for Market Transformation is dedicated to the promotion of energy efficiency and environmental protection.

International Forum on Globalization
www.ifg.org
The International Forum on Globalization is an alliance of sixty leading activists, scholars, economists, researchers and writers formed to stimulate new thinking, joint activity and public education in response to economic globalization.

Los Angeles Alliance for a New Economy
www.laane.org
LAANE is recognized as a national authority on issues affecting the working poor and an innovator in the fight against working poverty. Combining a vision of social justice with a practical approach to social change, LAANE has helped set in motion a broad movement based on the principle that hard work deserves fair pay, good benefits and decent working conditions

Rocky Mountain Institute
www.rmi.org
The Rocky Mountain Institute helps companies create solutions to a wide range of environmental challenges- including climate change, economic renewal, energy efficiency and green development- through market economics and resource efficiency.

True Cost Clearinghouse
www.sehn.org/tcc.html
True Cost Clearinghouse, a project of the Science and Environmental Health Network, is a resource for articles and reports documenting the economic, health, and social costs of pollution, worker exposures, and resource exploitation, as well as the underreported benefits of remediation and precautionary policies.

United for a Fair Economy
www.faireconomy.org
United for a Fair Economy is a national, independent, nonpartisan, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. UFE raises awareness that concentrated wealth and power undermine the economy, corrupt democracy, deepen the racial divide, and tear communities apart. We support and help build social movements for greater equality.

Worldwatch Institute
www.worldwatch.org
The Worldwatch Institute is a public policy research organization dedicated to informing policymakers and the public about emerging global problems and trends and the complex links between the world economy and its environmental support systems.

You can find even more groups working on sustainable business and ecological economics issues, and add yours at:
http://wiserearth.org/aof/51 (Natural Capitalism)
http://wiserearth.org/aof/809 (ecological economics)
http://wiserearth.org/aof/2 (responsible business practices)
http://wiserearth.org/aof/80 (community enterprise)
http://wiserearth.org/aof/290 (distributive and economic justice)

Corporate Accountability / Reform

Center for Corporate Policy
www.corporatepolicy.org
The Center for Corporate Policy is a non-profit, non-partisan public interest organization working to curb corporate abuses and make corporations publicly accountable.

Corpwatch
www.corpwatch.org
CorpWatch investigates and exposes corporate violations of human rights, environmental crimes, fraud and corruption around the world and works to counter corporate-led globalization through education and activism.

Global Reporting Initiative
www.globalreporting.org
The Global Reporting Initiative works to implement globally applicable guidelines for reporting on the economic, environmental and social performance of companies.

Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility
www.iccr.org
The Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility is a coalition of Protestant, Roman Catholic and Jewish institutional investors committed to shareholder activism and social responsible investing.

Program on Corporations, Law and Democracy
www.POCLAD.org
POCLAD is a group of writers, activists elected officials and others who instigate democratic conversations and actions that contest the authority of corporations to govern.

You can find even more groups working on corporate accountability issues, and add yours at:
http://wiserearth.org/aof/719 (transnational corporations)
http://wiserearth.org/aof/5 (corporate ethics)

Media Democracy / Media Access / Reclaiming Media

New York Community Media Alliance
www.indypressny.org
The Independent Press Association works to promote and support independent publications committed to social justice and free press.

Just Think
www.justthink.org
Just Think uses media literacy education programs to encourage students to think critically about media and technology.

Mainstream Media Project
www.mainstream-media.net
The Mainstream Media Project is a public education organization that places top policy analysts and social innovators on radio stations across the country and around the world. Topics covered include sustainability and consumption issues.

You can find even more groups working on media issues, and add yours at:
http://wiserearth.org/aof/249 (media)
http://wiserearth.org/aof/265 (journalism and the press)

More Sustainability Organizations That Didn’t Fit Neatly Into Any One Category Above

Bioneers
www.bioneers.org
Bioneers is a forum for connecting the environment, health, social justice and spirit within a broad progressive framework.

Global Action Plan
www.globalactionplan.org
Global Action Plan provides reports and tools to aid in promoting sustainable lifestyles, addressing climate change and understanding media biases.

Global Footprint Network
www.footprintnetwork.org
Global Footprint Network is committed to fostering a world where all people have the opportunity to live satisfying lives within the means of Earth's ecological capacity. They are dedicated to advancing the scientific rigor and practical application of the Ecological Footprint, a tool that quantifies human demand on nature, and nature's capacity to meet these demands.

Green Advisor
www.greenadvisor.org
Green Advisor is a source of local information and advice on solving environmental problems at home and in the community.

Institute for Deep Ecology
www.deep-ecology.org
The Institute for Deep Ecology promotes ecological values and action through experiences that transform old ways of thinking, honor spirit and support bold actions. The Institute works with citizen groups, governments and private businesses in developing policies that extract the maximum value from local resources.

Marion Institute
www.marioninstitute.org
The Marion Institute seeks to identify groundbreaking and inspirational programs, projects, organizations and innovators that we feel are doing groundbreaking work to help restore the planet.

Metaphor Project
www.metaphorproject.org
The Metaphor Project teaches and promotes more effective ways to communicate with mainstream Americans about becoming a sustainable society.

Natural Capital Institute
www.naturalcapital.org
The Natural Capital Institute serves the people who are transforming the world. We are a team of researchers, teachers, students, activists, scholars, writers, social entrepreneurs, artists, and volunteers committed to the restoration of the earth and the healing of human culture. We do two things: we describe pathways of change in books and research reports, and we create tools for connecting the individuals, information, and organizations that create change.

National Environmental Education and Training Foundation
www.neetf.org
The National Environmental Education and Training Foundation helps develop partnerships to integrate environmental education with K-12 schools, businesses, health care institutions and other places where citizens interact every day.

The Natural Step
www.naturalstep.org
The Natural Step offers a framework for businesses, communities, academia, government entities and individuals work to redesign their activities to become more sustainable.

New Road Map Foundation
www.newroadmap.org
The New Road Map Foundation develops practical tools to assist people in managing personal finances, health and human relations in a sustainable manner.

Northwest Earth Institute
www.nwei.org
The Northwest Earth Institute develops programs and courses that teach an earth-centered ethic promoting individual responsibility for the earth.

The Ruckus Society
www.ruckus.org/index2.html
The Ruckus Society works with a broad range of communities, organizations and movements to facilitate the sharing of information and expertise that strengthens the capacity to change our relationships with the environment and each other.

The Satyana Institute
www.satyana.org
The Satyana Institute works with social change activists, communities and organizations to combine inner work of the heart with outer service in the world.

Second Nature
www.secondnature.org
Second Nature assists colleges and universities in integrating sustainability as a core component of their curricula

Sustainability Institute
www.sustainer.org
The Sustainability Institute provides information, analysis and practical demonstrations of sustainable systems that are applicable at all levels of society, from local to global.

David Suzuki Foundation
www.davidsuzuki.org
The David Suzuki Foundation explores human impacts on the environment, researches the root causes of environmental problems and presents science-based solutions to bring fundamental changes. They are located in Canada.

Organic Consumers Association
www.organicconsumers.org
The Organic Consumers Association (OCA) is an online and grassroots non-profit 501(c)3 public interest organization campaigning for health, justice, and sustainability. The OCA deals with crucial issues of food safety, industrial agriculture, genetic engineering, children's health, corporate accountability, Fair Trade, environmental sustainability and other key topics. We are the only organization in the US focused exclusively on promoting the views and interests of the nation's estimated 50 million organic and socially responsible consumers

Environmental Leadership Program
www.elpnet.org
The Environmental Leadership Program is a center for leadership development within the environmental field.

The Sustainable Energy and Economy Network
www.seen.org
SEEN works with citizens groups nationally and globally on environment, human rights and development issues with a particular focus on energy, climate change, environmental justice, gender equity, and economic issues.

YES!
www.yesmagazine.org
YES! spotlights the visionary ideas and practical actions for building a just, sustainable, and compassionate world.

You can find even more groups working on all sorts of sustainability thinking and living, and add yours at:
http://wiserearth.org/aof/143 (sustainable living)
http://wiserearth.org/aof/698 (culture and sustainability)
http://wiserearth.org/aof/332 (sustainability education)