The Alternative Consumer provides sustainable product reviews, eco news and green info for today’s conscious consumer. We focus on emerging brands and indie design. Our hope is that one day all products and services will be created in a socially responsible, sustainable, eco- and body-friendly manner.
(press release Feb 2007, launch)

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It’s a small world, let’s all do what we can to keep it peaceful, clean, vibrant and sustainable. What goes around, comes around…less is more.

When this came across the wire, (June 8, 2010) we found it interesting and worth sharing: “The results of sixth annual ImagePower® Green Brands Survey, which examines consumer perceptions of green brands and corporate environmental behavior, will be announced today and reveal that consumer commitment to purchasing from green companies is shared around the globe, but the barriers to going green and environmental concerns are not consistent.

The 2010 data indicate that in the United States, 75 percent of consumers say that it is somewhat or very important to them that the brands they buy come from green companies and the majority of respondents globally plan to spend the same or more money on green products in the coming year.  Over 60 percent of consumers in all countries want to buy from environmentally responsible companies, but the cost of green products continues to be a hurdle in developed countries. More than two-thirds of respondents in each country polled cite reducing toxics and dangerous substances as the most important activity a company can do to be green, followed by water conservation or recycling.”

Maureen O’Connor – New York, NY & West Palm Beach, FL – An inquisitive native New Yorker, Maureen’s pursuits and passions range from fine art and fine dining to a good walk in the woods, preferably with camera in hand and friends in tow. As founder/publisher of The Alternative Consumer, she seeks out eco-friendly and body-friendly lifestyle choices — from the practical to the sublime — for today’s conscious consumers. An authority on green products and expert on green living, she’s passionate about spreading the green word. (m at alternativeconsumer.com)

Ross Dulmaine – New York, NY & West Palm Beach, FL -  Ross has been an intrepid content contributor and editor of AltCon since its inception. His posts cover a broad range of topics from green gadgets and eco news, to alternative energy and consumer issues. In addition, he’s responsible for our website design, newsletter, daily SEO, updating our Twitter account (@altcon) and overseeing our Facebook page. Ross is also an accomplished video producer-director and fisherman, as well as avid baseball and hockey fan. (rd at alternativeconsumer.com)

Seamus The Famous Eco Friendly Dog – Rutland, MA – New to the green scene, Seamus contributes the canine perspective on all things eco.

Mr. Happy – Our resident green curmudgeon.

Jasmin Malik Chua – Jersey City, NJ – Jasmin is a word wrangler who lives just across the Hudson in Jersey City, where she indulges in her penchant for cupcakes, zombies and her search for the perfect soy chai latte. She has a master of science in biomedical journalism from New York University and a PhD in poopy diapers.

Jessica Howell — Royal Oak, MI – Based in metro Detroit, Jessica is a former travel editor and current PR writer. When she’s not on the road, she’s scoping the net for the latest in eco-conscious living and clever green buys for AltCon, or writing on her own green travel blog, Green Globetrotter. Her favorite pastimes include settling down with a good read, baking amidst a cloud of whole-wheat flour in the kitchen, and sharing gut-seizing laughs with friends and family.

Carrie Watson Ruehlman – Carrie is a writer now residing in New York City, where she enjoys scoping out the city’s many wonderful markets, museums and neighborhoods, jogging in Central Park, and discovering fabulous local restaurants. Carrie was previously a magazine editor in who covered, among other things, natural beauty products and health and wellness, and she is glad to be able to share her love of those things with Alternative Consumer readers. You can also find her at beauty provider Weleda, in the USA.

Jasmine Petro – San Diego, CA – Born and bred on the SoCal sunshine, Jasmine studies Environmental Systems and Literature at the University of California San Diego. She also hikes tiny mountains, gobbles up novels, and dances when there is no music playing. Her interest in how the media and communication impact sustainability efforts led her to The Alternative Consumer. The fastest ways to her heart are tasty tacos and good grammar.

Theresa Gould — Chicago, IL – Theresa is a wife, mother of seven and freelance writer. She loves to walk, read and spend time with her family. She and her family can be found busily volunteering as hen house helpers and Farmers Market volunteers at an Organic Learning Farm and at their local CSA farm on a weekly basis. Theresa and her husband are aspiring organic farmers and will share their experiences taking courses at Farm Beginnings. Theresa is also interning with two Chicago based Green fashion businesses as a means of building her virtual assistant business RobnT Business Solutions.

Jamie Bosso – Boston, MA – Jamie is a freelance writer specializing in PR and branding for a variety of industries including beauty, education and food. As a mother of two, she can often be found seeking out healthy lifestyle choices for her family, especially in her own garden where lavender and basil mingle with roses. She is inspired by a well-turned phrase, Yo-Yo Ma, sunsets over Greece and her children’s laughter.

Paige Minteer – Paige is a San Diego native who studies Environmental Science at the University of Texas, Austin. When she isn’t studying, Paige enjoys hiking and going to the beach. She plans to advocate for the environment after graduation by attending law school and becoming an environmental lawyer.

Mojisola Ogunleye — Moji resides in Southern California and recently completed her undergraduate studies in Environmental Science at American Military University. In her free time she is an avid reader of biographies, science fiction, and military history and enjoys biking. She plans to continue her studies and pursue her interests in Engineering and Environmental Journalism.

Kayla McGlinchey – Seattle, WA – A student at the University of Washington, Kayla is pursuing a degree in environmental studies. She hopes to one day become a successful environmental journalist, spreading the fascination of scientific findings to the general public. When not studying, engaging in her obsessive hobby of anime, or sleeping, Kayla also likes to attend and perform at Manic Mouth Congress’s (her college’s poetry group) open mics. She encourages embracing the randomness of life … and is very excited about contributing to The Alternative Consumer.

Cassie Galentine — San Diego, CA – Originally from small town Wisconsin, Cassie is happy for the fresh scenery of California. She recently returned from a study abroad voyage around the world with Semester at Sea. Her exploration of twelve different countries has given her a new perspective on sustainability. She is currently studying English, Marine Science and Biology at the University of San Diego. When not hitting the books, Cassie enjoys hitting the slopes on her favorite pair of skis and expanding her mountaineering experience. Her next adventure will hopefully bring her to the summit of Mount Whitney.

Frances Ho — an Environmental Systems and Urban Studies & Planning student at UC San Diego, Frances hails from sunny Southern California. When school and work allow, she loves traveling, going to the beach, working out, doing yoga and eating/visiting everything recommended on Yelp! Frances plans to pursue a career in sustainable development and urban planning after some more schooling, and is currently living life to the fullest, one cup of coffee at a time.

Crystal Carson –  Crystal is a South San Diego native who works with local non profit organizations to save the waves. Working toward a masters in Marine Conservation, she teaches surf and SUP lessons in her spare time.

Jake Ayres – Boulder, CO – Jake grew up in Minnesota and is currently pursuing a bachelors degree in Environmental Studies at the University of Colorado at Boulder. When he’s not at the library, Jake enjoys taking advantage of all that Colorado has to offer. His favorite activities include hiking, snowboarding and fishing. After school, Jake hopes to find a career in sustainable development and environmental consulting.

Nick McManus — Boulder, CO – Nick is an environmental studies student at the University of Colorado at Boulder. After growing up in the suburbs of Chicago, Boulder has been a nice change of pace. Exploring the mountains of Colorado has been his passion since enrolling at Boulder.  An avid outdoorsman, Nick has spent a month in the wilderness of Alaska, and jumps at any opportunity to strap on a backpack and explore. Spending all this time in the outdoors has compelled Nick to be a conscious consumer who’s always on the lookout for sustainable products.

Tim Shanahan – A former Southern California native and U.S. Navy veteran, Tim is always on the lookout for a new adventure. As a devoted fan of Colorado, he can be seen at any of the Front Range hiking locations, boarding on the slopes, or depriving himself of oxygen atop the various 14ers available here. Tim is a senior at the University of Colorado at Boulder and is so close to receiving a degree in Environmental Studies he can taste it. He is an avid reader, a health food and fitness advocate, and enjoys engaging in nerdy and/or philosophical conversations at the local watering hole.

Annika Lewis — Based in Virginia, Annika is a college student working towards a degree in Environmental Studies. Whenever she isn’t writing or researching, she is crafting up a storm with whatever materials are handy. Besides loving the environment, she enjoys watching Star Wars and Star Trek — she can’t pick a side.

Rose Eveleth — Rose Eveleth grew up half in the woods of Connecticut and half in the suburbs of New Jersey. A student at the University of California, San Diego majoring in ecology and writing, she spends her free time looking for bugs, climbing trees, riding bikes and thinking about fish. After UCSD, Rose hopes to find a place in the ever turbulent world of journalism where she can write about looking for bugs, climbing trees, riding bikes and thinking about fish.

Amanda Heidemann — San Diego, CA – To feed her happy heart, Amanda mountain bikes, backpacks, paints, and gazes into her multiple aquariums to the extent that her business and educational lives allow. When torn from these activities she is commuting the town on her bike, studying environmental science, or reading and researching ways to obtain a better relationship with Mama Earth. She has a particularly strong interest in the sustainable “slow food” movement.

Sylvia Hsueh — San Diego, CA – Born and raised in San Diego, Sylvia considers herself a true Californian. She has a deep appreciation for the ocean and spends most of her weekends at the beach. When she’s not studying hard at UCSD, she’s cooking, swimming, reading, or watching movies.  Majoring in Environmental Systems-Policy, she aspires to pursue a future in environmental law, and fight for environmental justice.

Zach McGrath — Worcester, MA – Although not as accomplished (i.e. old and cranky) as some of our older contributors, Zach, a high-school junior, has taken an interest in the environment and is active in local groups such as “Think Globally Act Locally,” which focuses on problems in the community as well as directing local attention to global problems. Along with helping the environment, Zach is an avid theatre, writing and music student.

Kyla Buckingham — San Diego, CA – Growing up near Lassen Volcanic National Park inspired Kyla’s love for this great Earth; she was the only child in her class who toted Audubon field guides and plastic binoculars. Now a technical writer studying literature/writing and the environment at the University of California, San Diego, she has extended her love for mountains to the ocean, snorkeling, ballroom dancing, playing Scrabble, reading with her cat, and making zines about social justice. Her favorite day is Tuesday, when the farmer’s market comes to campus.

Molly Roberts — San Diego, CA – Born and raised outside of Santa Cruz, California, Molly studies Environmental Sciences at the University of California, San Diego. She recently returned from a 3-month stay in Costa Rica studying agricultural practices, enjoying the cloud forest, and being downright sweaty at all times. She loves cooking, eating, running, backpacking, and exploring and firmly believes that unconventional, fresh approaches to conservationism are key to a sustainable future.

Lori Guner — San Diego, CA – Grew up in Arizona and is currently attending the University of California, San Diego, where she is studying Environmental Sciences. Lori works in a lab at UCSD, where she incorporates her interest in the environment and biology with innovative, new research. Some of her favorite activities include running, swimming, and traveling.