A guide to sustainable development service providers

Independent sources of information

Useful information relating to sustainable development can be gleaned from a great variety of sources but there are some organisations that specialise in providing independent information and analysis, usually on a particular theme. The Renewable Way web site falls into this category but there are also magazines available. Because this is, by the standard of most newsagents, a minority interest, they are more likely to available by subscription and received through the postal service on a quarterly (and in some cases almost monthly) basis. However, there is even an organisation that helps such journals reach potential buyers: Independent News Collective - the association of radical and alternative publishers (INC, 2^nd Floor, 97-99 Seven Sisters Road, London N7 7QP - telephone 020 7561 0683).

Products & services

The advertisements and articles in these magazines are a very good source of information on the products and services that claim to help in the practise of sustainable development.

Education & training

Living with Climate Change is the first nationally accredited basic adult education course covering sustainable development to be made available in the UK. Most British Universities offer relevant graduate and post-graduate programmes. However, because the phrase 'sustainable development' does not necessarily appear in the title ('environment' is an alternative classification to investigate), it is always worth explaining your specific areas of interest to the enquiries office, if you decide to approach a university. Organisations involved in research, development and demonstration also tend to offer courses (sometimes linked to university programmes), including training in skills that can help contribute to a more sustainable lifestyle. The Schumacher College was set up to pioneer education for this purpose (Schumacher College, The Old Postern, Dartington, Totnes, Devon TQ9 6EA - telephone 01803 866899).

Paul Newman

February, 2002

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