Description:Youth X Change – the training kit on consumption is a comprehensive, detailed ‘guide’ for the youth of today. “Young people today constitute an important group within our consumer societies, and the habits they develop now will play a decisive role in future consumption patterns” part of the introduction by UNEP and UNESCO shows the importance that we should place on providing our youth with the knowledge to make the right choice towards a sustainable future. From education and sustainable consumption and lifestyles to food, water and travel, this guide helps the user to make an informed choice, realize the responsibility, and urgency for action to chart a secure and stable future for our world. The details, tips, suggestions, information and direction are all in this guide, ready for a young mind to grasp, absorb and translate into real-life actions.

Description:A valuable manual to be used as a guidance document to build capacities and implement programs and activities on sustainable consumption, developed by the UNEP Division of Technology, Industry and Economics. In addition to being extremely readable and practically applicable this manual provides a clear understanding of the concept of sustainable consumption (SC) as well as the tools that can be used to resolve specific problems associated with unsustainable consumption. It focuses on practical tools with suggestions that are derived from case studies of which many can be replicated. The intended users of this manual are governments in Asian countries but the use of case studies as examples as well as a step-by-step process for development of an action plan on sustainable consumption makes it immensely useful to anyone remotely considering a tentative step in the direction of sustainability, also the manual considers the specific socio-political and environmental conditions in the 12 Asian countries that participated in the project, bringing its usability closer home. The first chapter provides answers to basic questions about SC and the UN guidelines for Consumer Protection. The user get familiar with the concept and finds answers to many of the more common questions; these can then be used to develop public awareness materials when adapted to a specific target group in a specific region. And what will be particularly useful to the Sangli-Miraj-Kupwad (SMK) Eco-city project is the specific examples of SC focus areas of energy use and waste generation – that are used to illustrate how the seven-step process may be used to develop a national initiative on sustainable consumption – energy and waste being two of the primary concern of SMK

Reference: http://www.unep.org/publications/search/pub_details_s.asp?ID=3712

Description:It can never be said enough “efficient lighting saves money and energy” and this manual presents a clear roadmap to achieving both. Compiled by the UNEP Division of Technology, Industry and Economics the manual certainly delivers on its purpose to enlighten the user on the ‘how to’ of efficient lighting while stressing well enough on the ‘why green lighting’. The user gets real value out of the sections on tips for implementation, options and tools for green lighting. It even recommends basics that are often overlooked like ‘turn off when not in use’ and also best practice for each level of green options identified.

Reference: http://www.unemg.org

Description:If you ever wondered what ‘Eutrophication, Humus and Turbidity’ meant but did not know where to find out then this handy list will provide that elusive understanding you were looking for. A neat and useful compilation of a sprinkling of words covering almost all the more commonly used vocabulary in an environmentalists’ pocket dictionary and yet limiting the selection to lesser technical jargon makes this list perfect those with an interest in the environment and the surrounding issues. Simple enough for a high-schooler and well within the everyday conversation lingo of an environmental activist!

Reference: http://extension.umd.edu/publications/pdfs/wr18.pdf