Wisconsin Sen. Gaylord Nelson created Earth Day in 1970 to bring the environment onto the political stage. Now that those issues are front and center, organizations are popping up to bring those same issues down to everyday life.

At least that’s what Maryland-based The Center for a New American Dream is advocating by providing education and information resources to help Americans consume responsibly.

“People should recognize that every dollar they spend is a vote for the type of world they want to live in,” said Monique Tilford, spokeswoman for the nonprofit organization.

Founded in 1997, the center recently grew its activist base to more than 100,000 people and moved its focus to action-oriented campaigns such as Carbon Counts.

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“ ‘Connect the dots’ is a phrase we use,” Tilford said. “We want people to connect daily activities with their impact on the environment.”

The center runs the Carbon Counts competition to encourage less carbon consumption, offering incentives such as motor scooters for people who cut down the most. On Earth Day, one member of the Web site community will win a new bicycle in a drawing to encourage biking over driving.

On the center’s Web site, the Conscious Consumer marketplace lists resources and reviews of environmentally safe products, and an upcoming alternative gift registry will offer “no-impact” gifts such as baby-sitting services.

“More fun with less stuff,” Tilford said.

For companies and governments, the center’s responsibility purchasing network coordinates experts with procurement officers to advise them on buying environmentally friendly products.

Gina Mathias, from the Earth Policy Institute, said CNAD’s approach should appeal to everyday consumers.

“What I really like is that in addition to focusing on conserving natural resources, they also focus on enhancing quality of life,” Mathias said.

The center employs about 25 people, and was voted one of the best places to work in the Washington area by Washingtonian Magazine.

With a four-day, 32-hour workweek and an all-green building, “we walk the walk, too,” Tilford said. “It’s a high-integrity place.”

Funding comes mostly from foundation grants and private donors, and partners include the Environmental Protection Agency and the Sierra Club.

Online communities reach people who know don’t know where to start or feel constrained, Tilford said.

“A lot of people feel limited, for example, because they still have to drive and things like that,” Tilford said. “So we’re trying to get them realistic goals.”

More information

» The Center for a New American Dream

6930 Carroll Ave., Suite 900

Takoma Park, MD 20912

www.newdream.org

1-877-68-DREAM

kprahlad@baltimoreexaminer.com