The goal: compact living environments that require less resources and that get the most out of the land, water and energy they do use.

WSJ: How to Build a Greener City

The best-known green-home technology must surely be the compact-fluorescent light bulb, the very icon of green living.

ECONOMIST: Green homes

Living and sleeping areas are at either end of a compact core that conceals structure, storage and the bathroom.

WSJ: The Greening of a Midcentury Classic

If you really do make a living from moving pictures, Canon also has a pair of compact pro models that share the same underlying technology.

ENGADGET

Not a deterioration in living standards that moves Earl out of his SUV and into a compact car.

FORBES: The Most Anticipated Great Depression That Never Will Be