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"Good gifts" for the holidays

Posted by Yankee on December 15, 2005 - 12:33pm
Topic: Environment/Sustainability
Tags: charity, environment, global warming, holiday gifts, sustainable development [list all tags]

Perhaps some of you have been thinking about alternatives to standard holiday gifts this year. All of that plastic, all of those miles driving to the mall—it all wastes just a little more of our depleting oil supply. This year, you may want to consider "good gifts": gifts that help out the world on behalf of the recipient.

Below the fold, I've listed some suggestions that you might find interesting. In keeping with the TOD mission, I've tried to highlight some gifts that are most relevant to energy issues. Also, help us improve our list by leaving some other ideas in the comments. (I'm sorry the list is somewhat US-centric, so we welcome suggestions appropriate to other countries.)

Obviously, this list is not exhaustive. It's just meant to get you started. As always, before you get started, you should always check out a charity at a site like Charity Navigator or GuideStar.

One Stop Shopping for "Good Gifts"
Alternative Gifts International
Good Gifts (UK based)

Combat global warming
Carbon credits: Terrapass, Carbon Fund, Sustainable Travel International, CarbonNeutral Company, Native Energy.
Acre of rainforest: World Land Trust, Nature Conservancy

Sustainable Development
Forum for the Future (UK)
Foundation for Sustainable Development
East Meets West Foundation

Environmental groups (with some focus on energy issues)
Sierra Club (Give someone a membership!)
Natural Resources Defense Council

Sustainable livestock, agriculture, organic food
Heifer International
Local Harvest
Farm Aid
Seeds of Change
Soil Association
Shop Natural

Energy efficient gifts
Ecomall's energy efficient gift ideas
Co-op America's solar gift ideas
Natural Resouces Canada's energy efficient gift ideas
Ecotopia's energy products (UK)
New Zealand Nature Company's solar gifts
American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy

Eco and Recycled gifts (When it's more appropriate to put something in a loved one's hand)
Treehugger gift guide
Recycled gifts at Canvas to Clay
Resource Revival
Reusable Bags
Eco-Artware
Tiffany Tomato
EcoKitchen
Unpetroleum body care

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