Vol.3, Issue 2 (Black& White)
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WEALTH, WELL-BEING, AND THE NEW AMERICAN DREAM Volume 3, Issue 2 July 2000 By David G. Myers Rich and Famous knows as Even lottery winners and the much. “Whoever said money Forbes’ 100 wealthiest Does money buy happiness? can’t buy happiness isn’t Americans (when surveyed Not! Ah, but would a little spending it right,” proclaimed by University of Illinois psy- more money make us a little a Lexus ad. chologist Ed Diener) have happier? Many of us smirk and expressed only slightly nod. There is, we believe, some Well, are rich people happier? greater happiness than the connection between fiscal fit- Researchers have found that in average American. Making it ness and feeling fantastic. Most poor countries, such as Bangla- big brings temporary joy. But of us tell Gallup that, yes, we desh, being relatively well off in the long run wealth is like would like to be rich. Three in does make for greater well- health: Its utter absence can four entering American colle- being. We need food, rest, breed misery, but having it gians - nearly double the 1970 shelter, social contact. doesn’t guarantee happiness. proportion - now consider it Happiness seems less a mat- “very important” or “essential” But a surprising fact of life is ter of getting what we want that they become “very well that in countries where nearly than of wanting what we off financially.” Money mat- everyone can afford life’s ne- have. ters. cessities, increasing affluence matters surprisingly little. The Has our happiness, however, It’s the old American dream: correlation between income floated upward with the ris- life, liberty, and the purchase and happiness is “surprisingly ing economic tide? In 1957, of happiness. “Of course weak,” observed University of when economist John money buys happiness,” writes Michigan researcher Ronald Galbraith was about to de- Andrew Tobias. Wouldn’t any- Inglehart in one 16-nation scribe the United States as UT UT UT one be happier with the indul- study of 170,000 people. Once the Affluent Society, Ameri- gences promised by the maga- comfortable, more money pro- cans’ per person income, ex- zine sweepstakes: a 40 foot vides diminishing returns. The pressed in today’s dollars, yacht, deluxe motor home, pri- second piece of pie, or the sec- vate housekeeper? Anyone ond $100,000, never tastes as (Continued on page 4) who has seen Lifestyles of the good as the first. O O O Washing Machines To Become More Energy Efficient Joined by executives from the water use by some 10.5 trillion ting greenhouse gas emis- nation’s top appliance makers gallons over a 25-year period. sions by an amount equal to and energy efficiency advo- That translates into a savings of that produced by three mil- cates, U.S. Secretary of Energy as much as 18 gallons of water lion cars every year.” Bill Richardson announced on per wash. The agreement represents the May 23, 2000, that a signifi- “Today's announcement is a latest in a string of agree- cant agreement has been victory for consumers, manu- ments reached with the appli- reached to improve the energy facturers, and for the environ- ance industry to develop and efficiency of residential clothes ment,” said Secretary Richard- manufacture energy-efficient washers. As a result of the new son. “The standards announced and cost-effective consumer agreement, consumers nation- today will save enough electric- products. Last month, Vice wide will save nearly 5 quad- ity to light 16 million U.S. President Al Gore announced A POSITIVE APPROACH TO CHANGE PROJECT LAUNDRY LIST rillion Btu (British thermal homes for 25 years, while cut- units) of energy and reduce (Continued on page 3) Inside this issue: Calendar of Events September 16– STUDENT CHAPTER INFORMATIONAL MEETING & PICNIC. MIDDLEBURY, VT. ANGING ANGING ANGING The Washboard 2 October 18– BENEFIT Volunteer Profile: Kelly Vincent 4 CONCERT AND ANNUAL Summer 2000 Organizational Profile: NCAT 4 MEETING, S. ROYALTON, Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat VT. 1 2 H H H 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Books and Resources 6 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 October 29– BOARD OF 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 D IRECTORS MEETING. 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 BETHEL, VT. 31 The Washboard An Economy That Works f there is an economy that can work for everyone, it certainly involves BOARD OF ADVISORS an embrace of appropriate technology. After a recent visit to Appala- I chia-Science in the Public Interest, I realized more than ever that we cannot Helen Caldicott, M.D. Matcham, Australia find a solution to economic, ecological, and spiritual problems without a change in our perceived needs and our modus operandi. Sabra Field South Royalton, Vermont This conclusion was again reinforced at an early June conference, put on Barbara James by the Interfaith Economic Justice Coalition, that asked thirty-five people to Exeter, New Hampshire “imagine an economy that works for everyone.” This group of ministers, wel- Ellen Kahler fare recipients, activists, and even a Vermont state representative took a con- Burlington, Vermont structive look at the inadequacies of the current economic system. Bill McKibben The lead article in this issue of the newsletter (Wealth, Well-Being, and Watertown, Massachusetts the New American Dream) tackles the question of whether happiness can be Betsy Taylor Washington, D.C. purchased. Do all the machines touted to make our lives more convenient make us more relaxed? The only other substantive article in this short issue is cause for some celebration: washing machines will be universally more efficient by 2007 be- cause of a government, industry, and energy advocate agreement. BOARD OF DIRECTORS Turning to a different topic, there have been an abundance of news sto- Charlotte Chase ries in the last couple of months that have focused on what a New York Middlebury, Vermont Times writer called “self-appointed taste police.” A growing frustration with Tom Elliott the Community Association Institute (CAI), which claims to represent home- Norwich, Vermont owners in over 205,000 common-interest communities, has appeared in such William Everitt places as the web page of the American Homeowners Resource Center. CAI Portland, Maine is the organization that sent a Burlington, VT-based lobbyist to help defeat J. Bryan Wentzell Boston, Massachusetts the “Right to Dry” bill, in 1999. The bill did not, by the way, pass during the second half of the Millennium biennium...which carves out more work for Polly Wilson Bristol, Vermont Project Laundry List in 2001-2002. A renewed skepticism of what former Secretary of Labor Robert Reich labeled in the early Nineties as the “secession of the successful” is beginning to take hold. A healthy examination of the “gated community” is certainly needed after an April rampage in Arizona, where a homeowner disgruntled by the constant pestering of neighbors who did not like the shape of his VOLUNTEER STAFF hedges, opened fire, killing two and injuring three. Alexander Lee Executive Director The issues raised by Project Laundry List are clearly among the most Kelly Vincent Web Editor pressing in the country. By examining the way Americans do laundry, our Chad Simons Greenmarketing Coordinator work becomes a sort of lens to evaluate major social, environmental, and eco- Tom Elliot Database Management Specialists nomic problems. It is so exciting to be a part of this group that takes a novel approach to conservation. We have fun and hope you will join us. Alexander P. Lee Executive Director Volume 2, Issue 4, Hanging Out, the newsletter of Project Laundry List, is published four times a year (January, April, July, and October). The newsletter is distributed to members and friends of Project Laundry List. For annual membership, send $10 to P.O. Box 189, S. Royalton, VT 05068. Send address changes to P.O. Box 189, S. Royalton, VT 05068. The observations and opinions expressed in Hanging Out are those of respective authors and should not be interpreted as representing the Mission official views of Project Laundry List. Project Laundry List uses words, images, and advocacy to educate Project Laundry List is a 501(c)3 organization. Tax-deductible contribu- people about how simple lifestyle modifications, including air- tions can be made to “Project Laundry List.” drying one’s clothes, reduce our dependence on environmentally Printed on 100% post-consumer content recycled paper with soy-based ink. For more information about eco-friendly and culturally costly energy sources. paper, contact ReThink Paper at The Flood Building, 870 Market St., Suite 1013, San Francisco, CA 94102 or www. rethinkpaper.org. VOLUME 3, ISSUE 2 Page 2 Washing Machines (Continued from page 1) proposed standards to improve the energy efficiency of residential water heaters, which would save consumers more than $23 billion in energy costs over the next 20 years. By the end of the year, the Energy Department expects to issue rules for fluorescent lamp ballasts, residential central air condition- ers, commercial heating, air conditioning and water heating equip- ment. Water heating and clothes washing combined account for about 15 percent of all household energy consumed in the United States Don’t forget, April 19th is and costs consumers approximately $21 billion each year. National Hanging Out Day! Agreement participants include the Association of Home Appli- ance Manufacturers, Alliance Laundry Systems, Amana, Asko, Frigidaire, General Electric Appliances, Maytag, Miele, Fisher & Paykel and Whirlpool. efficiency advocates will be accepted and written into the final standards. Although most manufacturers cur- Other organizations that support this agreement include the Natural rently offer some products which meet the proposed standards, Resources Defense Council, American Council for an Energy- all products would have to meet them by 2007.