Modern inequality causes stress and social problems, not just among the very poor, but at all levels of society. That’s just what Richard Wilkinson and Kate Pickett find in their new book, The Spirit Level Why Greater Equality Makes Societies Stronger. Read Jeffrey Hollender’s review on the CSR newswire.

Yale University’s Visions of a Sustainable World Project has released a short video interview with Dr. Paul Raskin. Dr. Raskin argues that a “global citizens movement” and a “Copernican shift” in how humans perceive their relationship to the earth will be critical elements of a great transition toward a sustainable, planetary society.  Dr. Raskin is the President of the Tellus Institute and founding Director of the Great Transition Initiative.

In its recent report, Growth Isn’t Possible, UK-based nef (the new economics foundation) concludes that it is impossible to avoid the dangers of climate change as long as economic growth continues in high-income countries.

Robert Pollin, in the Boston Review, makes a case for a new regulatory framework for financial markets that is capable of both stabilizing markets and, correspondingly, channeling financial resources toward productive and socially useful investments and away from the speculative casino.

For a well reasoned and balanced discussion of shareholder’s role in corporate political contributions, see Nell Minow’s Testimony before the House Committee on Financial Services.

On the Commons is a citizens’ network that highlights the importance of the commons in our lives, and promotes innovative commons-based solutions to create a brighter future.

For a little comic relief, try this video directed by Ron Howard, with Dan Akroyd, Dana Carvey, Jim Carey, and a bunch of SNL players. It is in support of the creation of a consumer protection agency to regulate banks and credit cards.

Or, if you prefer, you can have “more fun than an earthworm in  garlic bed” with Slow Money’s newsletter.

On a more serious note, read the papers presented by Robert Johnson and others at the Roosevelt Institute’s Make Markets be Markets conference in New York.

For some inspirational songs about the credit unions, have a listen to Young and Free’s Move Your Money music video contest.

Ceres issued a press release detailing a record number of climate change resolutions filed in the 2010 proxy season. 95 climate change related resolutions have been filed so far by some of the nation’s largest public pension funds, as well as labor, foundation, religious and other institutional shareholders.

Ceres has also  released a new report, The 21st Century Corporation: The Ceres Roadmap for Sustainability, which lays out the expectations for a sustainable corporation in the 21st century.  The report outlines the urgency and vision—as well as the competitive advantages—for companies that fully embrace sustainability in their business.

“We’re all marinating in chemicals every day,” write Toronto environmental activists Rick Smith and Bruce Lourie. They go on to soak in a potent, home-made marinade for a week. Read the review of their new book, Slow Death by Rubber Duck in the Washington Post.

On March 27th and 28th, students, professionals, and non-profit leaders from every region of the country will be converging on Orlando, Florida at the University of Central Florida for Trade Action Camp, a student-organized national convergence on trade justice, fair trade, and fair food.

For information aboutmore active Federal support for local economic development, the 2010 Federal Economic Development Forum offers three days of informative sessions, a first -rate lineup of speakers, and the opportunity  to gain insight on federal economic development policy.

This database might be useful to those researching State and Federal incentive (grants, loans, tax credits and rebates) for green jobs/economy.