The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) has published The Consumer's Guide to Effective Environmental Choices (Three Rivers Press, 1999), a book that confirms much of what we've been saying in this newsletter, as well as in our own book (Use Less Stuff: Environmental Solutions for Who We Really Are). Here's what the experts had to say about what we should worry about, what's not that important, and what we need to do to create a more sustainable future:

As we've been saying for over 5 years, the key environmental issue we humans have to face is consumption, and the two primary things that we Americans overconsume are food and energy. Our consumption patterns are the cause of four leading environmental problems: air pollution, global warming, habitat alteration, and water pollution. The activities primarily responsible for these concerns are:
� � � � � � � � � � � � * Use of cars and light trucks
� � � � � � � � � � � � * Meat and poultry production
� � � � � � � � � � � � * Fruit, vegetable and grain production
� � � � � � � � � � � � * Home heating, hot water use and air conditioning
� � � � � � � � � � � � * Household appliance usage and lighting
� � � � � � � � � � � � * Home construction
� � � � � � � � � � � � * Household water use and sewage

Here are the actions which the UCS recommends be taken by Americans. Don't be surprised if they look very familiar:
� � � � � � � � � � � � * Choose a place to live that reduces the need to drive.
� � � � � � � � � � � � * Make your next car more fuel-efficient.
� � � � � � � � � � � � * Eat less meat, especially red meat.
� � � � � � � � � � � � * Buy organic produce whenever possible.
� � � � � � � � � � � � * Work to improve the efficiency of home appliances, heating and cooling systems.

Based on a number of scientific analyses, the UCS concludes that it's far more important to worry about the items listed above than items we more typically worry about, as described below. We completely concur:

Cloth vs. Disposable Diapers
Basically, it's a wash (pun intended). The environmental impacts are not that different. The real issue? Fewer babies to put in the diapers!

Paper vs. Plastic Bags
Again, there's no big difference. Take fewer of each, bring your own, and reuse the bags you do take.

Disposable Plates, Cups, Cutlery and Napkins
In moderation, their impact is small. Using these items once in a while is fine, but every day is probably wasteful.

Spray Cans and Styrofoam
Neither of these is made using ozone-depleting chemicals anymore, so moderate use is not a big deal.

� � � Contrast the story above with this quote from Why We Buy: The Science of Shopping (Simon & Schuster, 1999): "If we went into stores only when we needed to buy something,, and if once there we bought only what we needed, the economy would collapse, boom... Fortunately, the economic party that has been the second half of the twentieth century has fostered more shopping than anyone would have predicted, more shopping than has ever taken place anywhere at any time."
� � � What a difference of opinions! We decided to use a little intellectual judo. We took the strategies listed in this book� which are designed to sell you more stuff and turned them on their ear. Instead, we're going to tell you what to watch out for so that you don't make unnecessary purchases:
� � � First, shop with an attitude. Get in and out as quickly as possible. Studies show that the more time spent shopping, the more money spent as well.
� � � Second, reduce the need for, or size of the basket, you take. Shoppers have a tendency to fill baskets. That's the reason why some stores only have large carts, or others scatter baskets around the stores.
� � � Third, don't talk to strangers, especially store clerks. It may sound a little rude, but research shows that the more time you spend� chatting with store personnel, the more obligated you feel to buy something.
� � � Fourth, keep going. Usually, the thing you want most is at the back of store, and the aisles taking you there are full of eye-catching impulse items. That's why video stores put the new releases at the rear: so you'll walk past the popcorn, soda and candy on the way to the counter. Or why drugstores have the pharmacy at the back: You've got to go past all the other goodies to get to what you need. Or why the big toy stores put the bestsellers like Barbie in the back and make you walk through racks of coloring books, crayons and other doodads to get to her. The stores make more money from a $2 coloring book than from a $12 Barbie.
� � � Fifth, shop from a list. This is especially true for men, who are far less likely to plan their trips before they shop. Those people who create and use lists buy less impulse stuff than those who merely wander around the store.
� � � Sixth, check bargains carefully. Underwear stacked on a table at 4 for $20 is not any cheaper than the same stuff stacked neatly on the shelf for $5 each. Also, read signs closely. Many times, the featured price is the everyday price. In many states, stores are required by law to let you know.� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �
� � � Happy and smarter shopping!