Lyons Regional Library

Describes the history of trading, how markets and auctions work, and what rights consumers have.

Looks at the history of the growth of consumerism, exposing the international nature of its expansion through the last six hundred years, and the challenges it poses to the planet. "What we consume has become a central-- perhaps the central-- feature of modern life. Our economies live or die by spending, we increasingly define ourselves by our possessions, and this ever-richer lifestyle has had an extraordinary impact on our planet. How have we come...

Takes a phase-by-phase journey through life from infancy to old age to illustrate the enormous imprint every American makes during his or her time on Earth. Incorporates surprising facts with playful visuals to reveal our level of consumption and the simple changes we can all make to reduce the impact of our ecological footprint on the world.

Why is there so much garbage, and where does it go? A Time magazine Hero of the Environment, Leonard has traveled the world tracking trash and its wake of destruction. Her investigations convinced her that the impossible dream of perpetual economic growth and the rampant consumer culture it engenders are the root causes of todays environmental crises. A rigorous thinker in command of a phenomenal amount of information, Leonard believes that...

Describes the economics of needs and wants, including what they are, how they compare, and how people can get what they need and want. An early economics book that includes a note to caregivers, reading activities, and a word list.

"As we become a more digital society, the gains that have been made for the environment by moving toward a paperless world with more and more efficient devices will soon be or already have been offset by the number of devices in our lives that are always using energy. But many don't think about the impact on the environment of the "Internet of things." Whether it's a microwave connected to the internet, use of Netflix, or online shopping, these technological...

Takes a phase-by-phase journey through life from infancy to old age to illustrate the enormous imprint every American makes during his or her time on Earth. Incorporates surprising facts with playful visuals to reveal our level of consumption and the simple changes we can all make to reduce the impact of our ecological footprint on the world.

"A bold argument that our "quest for cool" shapes modern culture and the global economy Like it or not, we live in an age of conspicuous consumption. In a world of brand names, many of us judge ourselves and others by the products we own. Teenagers broadcast their brand allegiances over social media. Tourists flock to Rodeo Drive to have their pictures taken in front of luxury stores. Soccer moms switch from minivans to SUVs to hybrids, while hip...

As another year unfolded, lifestyle blogger and mom of three Miranda Anderson realized she felt weighed down by the mass of belongings her family had been accumulating. In an effort to pare down and cultivate a deeper sense of gratitude and abundance in their lives, she and her husband decided to embark on a minimalism challenge, where they would stop all unnecessary shopping for one year. It meant learning to use what they already had and being more...