"Carrier bags" are shopping bags in Britain. By any name, the plastic versions are increasingly unpopular, having been banned in San Francisco, Beijing and elsewhere. The proposed U.K. budget requires retailers to charge for them, if they are not scrapped altogether. British retailers reduced their use of such bags by 8%, or 1 billion last year.
Source: www.worldbusiness.org Read more...
In West Oakland, California, where liquor stores have replaced markets, People's Grocery is creating a healthy alternative, offering access to organic produce. Through urban gardens and local farms, People's Grocery supports a culture based on connection to the land, sustainable agricultural practices, and regenerating community. Read more...
Dear American Voter - Send a message!
The upcoming U.S. election will affect people globally, but only Americans will get the chance to vote. Would you like to send American voters a message? We're asking people from all over the world to make video letters that tell Americans how they would vote, and why. Our submissions aren't limited to those overseas - we'd like to hear from Americans, too. Read more...
When Columbia Professor Jeffrey Sachs publishes a book, it usually has a pronounced effect on the world's agenda. Common Wealth: Economics for a Crowded Planet, his latest offering, appeared in bookstores this week. Initial critical response indicates it will be driving many agendas in 2008.
"Grim but surprisingly optimistic" seems to be the consensus view of the book. Conceptually, it draws from the same well as Sachs's earlier works: the application of large sums (3% of global GDP in this current case) could eliminate many of the world's problems; this is actually inexpensive compared to the alternative; humanity has no alternative if it is to have a future. Read more...
America added 106 million people from 1965 to 2007. Demographic experts showed 300 million more people living in America in October of last year. They expect an added 100 million by 2040. The consequences will be irreversible and unsolvable. Read more...
The Gyre or Pacific Garbage Patch is a swirling vortex of trash and we have some expert in to talk about it. We also cover some green video games. Read more...
Join me, Cheryl Janis,as I take you to fair trade 10,000 Villages boutique, here in Portland Oregon (with nationwide locations.) The store which is volunteer based, is eco-fabulous, lovely home accessories and furniture handmade with love, supporting villages globally, keeping women in business alive and well, supporting communities that can make a living wage without having to travel to the bigger cities. This is a non-profit organization that you will want to support.
Visit the following link to watch the video blog episode. Please leave your comments! Read more...
Many of you may have familiarized yourself with the concept of cultivating a a "Citizen Base" a the path to a sustainable nonprofit organization. Watch Ashoka's Founder Bill Drayton talk about this key to sustainability--being rooted in a community and forming a citizen base.
The good news is spreading. Happyzine
A growing phenomenon can be seen among what demographers call Generation Y youth (also called baby-boom echo or on-line generation), essentially those who were born after 1978. More and more members of this demographic group want to see social changes and want to be change agents for doing so. Two such people, Alex Hofmann and Deron Triff were already well on their way in business careers in media and entertainment when they learned about Scott Harrison, a Gen-Y-er who is busy digging clean water wells in Africa. Hoffmann and Triff wondered how they could get behind Scott Harrison, get to know him, be connected with him and help him. Then they wondered if they could get behind and help other people like Harrison. Read more...
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