After 16 hours of traveling from Hawaii to our Nation's capitol, 4 hours of sleep in a 50 degree hotel room (the heater was broken), we awoke at 7am Tuesday morning to join millions of other Americans trekking to the Mall to watch the swearing in of our new President. We braved two stops on the packed metro, 2 miles walking briskly in the subfreezing air, finally venturing under the packed 3rd street tunnel (only open to pedestrians) to find our way through the security lines, port-a-potty lines, and finally to the place where we witnessed history in the making. Read more...
FORA.tv's Michael Cronan catches Amory Lovins at the EG 08 conference and talks about the bright future of energy efficiency. Read more...
You search and they grow trees. That's Ecocho's philosophy on their status as the "first green search engine".
Their website says, "Ecocho is a new search engine trying to make a difference for climate change. For every 1000 searches users make on Ecocho we'll counter balance or "offset" a ton of greenhouse gases. We do this by sponsoring two trees via advertising on the site." Read more...
Vegawatt is a brand new state of the art technology currently being used in restaurants that converts waste oil into electricity and hot water. It was developed by the Owl Power Company in Massachusetts and launched in January 2009.
"The unit, which is about the size of a refrigerator, is placed outside the building the same way central air conditioning units often are. It hooks up through one electrical cable to the electric system. There is also a hot water feed and return system. Your hot water heater won't have to work as hard now because the water has already been partially heated by the system," their website explains. Read more...
Lawrence Lessig discusses the importance of finance reform on Capitol Hill and argues that large corporate political donations destroy the public's faith in a honest government. Read more...
This is an in-depth look at the astonishing mental capabilities of Daniel Tammet, born in Britain, and from a young age able to do extraordinary calculations in his head. Skeptics have thrown a number of challenges at him, for instance testing his ability to recite to 22,500 decimal points the calculation of Pi, as well as learning a language in a week. Tammet, in his gentle unassuming way, has passed all the tests and offers this concluding statement about the phenomenon of savants: "The line between profound talent and profound disability is a surprisingly thin one." Read more...
The Catalog for Giving of New York City started 15 years ago as a nonprofit that supports children and youth throughout the city. They believe they are making a difference especially at a time when our nation is "...poised to answer President Obama's call to service."
They say their mission is to transform the lives of New York City children. Many of the youth they work with have lives that are severely limited by poverty, crime, drugs, and violence. Read more...
People in Need Partnership is a remarkable program to form real, dynamic relationships with people living in extreme poverty. It is a transformative way of thinking about how to deal with global suffering, but addressing the root of the problem: broken relationships.
For $12 - $25 you can become a partner of a child slave, a hungry girl not able to go to school, or the mother of a starving family. In addition to many programs that will give them the tools to eventually achieve their dreams, you will have many opportunities, through messages, photos, and video clips and conversations, to become a true partner and friend. Read more...
Macaroni and cheese, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, warm chocolate chip cookies with a tall glass of milk, chicken noodle soup and teddy bears -- these are some of the great comforters of our young lives. Many of which endure well into adulthood. (I'm 40 and most of these bring me that wrapped-in-a-blanket feeling to this day.)
This may be why Hough Elementary, where both my kids attend school, hosts a Teddy Bear Picnic once a year. Children are able to bring their bears (or any other stuffed animal, for that matter) to school, sit the cuddly critters next to them during class and bring them to the cafeteria for a lunch of deli sandwiches and teddy bear graham crackers. The kids love it. "It's one of their favorite days of the year," attests Candy Wallis, Hough Para-Professional, cross-walk attendant and joy-spreader extraordinaire. Read more...
Barbara Warmsley may look like a sweet, old woman but she's serious about helping you save money and the environment. She isn't the only one, though. Oxfam recently recruited a team of Green Grannies to offer advice and tips on all kinds of subjects like how to stay warm at night without turning on the heat. Read more...
Ayoka is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to give a voice and a platform to successful local NGOs and grassroots initiatives around the world through video production and distribution. By giving those who need it access to a public, we allow them to share the challenges they face and the creative, entrepreneurial, and sustainable ways they have found to address them. We have just launched our new website, check it out at www.ayokaproductions.org
We would love to hear your feedback and comments! Read more...
A muddy, green patch of mud and plants might usually be overlooked. However, workers at Playa Viva find it nothing short of amazing. The green sprouts in question are "...an essential element in the delicate coastal ecosystem and one that is increasingly endangered all along the Pacific coast," the organization says.
The little green plants are important for the little green animals they serve: sea turtles. Playa Viva is a sustainable resort and turtle sanctuary located near Zihuatanejo, Mexico. It was founded to protect turtles from predators and poachers. The sanctuary is staffed by a team of local residents. The organization offers regular events so community members and visitors can take part in turtle releases and other exciting opportunities. Read more...
Kathleen Ridihalgh says she started the website ecobly.com to help consumers find the greenest goods out there - those made with locally sourced, sustainable materials.
"My mission is to encourage people to look in their own neighborhoods, cities, counties, states and regions for the stuff of everyday life - from counter tops to toys to envelopes - to find out what they can buy from local producers," Ridihalgh said. "Before going to the big box stores, go ecobly first! For example, in the vicinity of my neighborhood of Ballard (a Seattle 'hood), I can find glass tiles, couches and coffee tables, wooden shelves, envelopes, and a slew of consignment, used goods and antique shops. All made with things right from my area
Nick Vujicic has no arms or legs but has come to terms with his lot in life and he delivers an inspirational speech to these school kids that they will probably never forget... Read more...
Wangari Maathai talks about how her time in schools run by Catholic nuns and missionaries made her deeply value the idea of service. Read more...
Coca Cola is the largest producer of bottled soda and beverages in the world, and is undoubtedly one of the most recognizable brands worldwide. They are estimated to own over half of the world's beverages.
Now, the Coca Cola company is setting an example for the industry by doubling the size of its hybrid electric deliver fleet to 327 green trucks on U.S. and Canadian roads. This means the company will be adding about 185 hybrid electric trucks. It will also be launching a new vehicle that is much larger than those in the current fleet. Read more...
A recent blog, YourObamaUpdate, aims to give a positive light to the events of the next four years that pertain to the new American presidency. Barack Obama's election is a historic even not only for the United States but for the world at large. The blog is aptly described as...
"YourObamaUpdate is the one stop source for all things Obama... Official news, video, polls, pooks, policy and pumor for the 44th President of the United States of America. Yes We Did... Now lets get to work..." Read more...
As a kid, did you ever want to quit school and join the circus? Well in St. Louis, Missouri, kids have the option of attending "circus school" at the city museum, a museum / playground built from recycled "trash" and art from the city.
Jessica Hentoff is the director of the extra-curricular circus school. She's been involved in several state-of-the-art projects including "Circus Salaam Shalom", a workshop for circus training with Jewish and Muslim children at the same time. Read more...
The United States Senate website contains everything you need to know about Inauguration Day. There, you can learn about the events of the day, the theme of the 2009 Inauguration, as well as information, tips and restrictions if you plan on being in the Nation's capitol for the big event.
However, if you're like most Americans you probably won't be in D.C. for Inauguration day. That's okay, because undoubtedly, there are a lot of exciting events going on across the country and the world to commemorate the change the U.S. is about to experience. Read more...
Some would say that his writings are creepy, but the fact is that Kurt Vonnegut wrote beautiful, bizarre and horrifying novels replete with dark humor, and that set him apart as a unique writer. His book "Slaughterhouse-Five
Written in 1969, this novel is considered a classic and is also known as one of his best works. The satirical essence of the novel is portrayed by the repetitive phrase, “so it goes” which Vonnegut uses to describe death and dying; whether it is of man, animal or the bubbles of champagne. He uses it to downplay the fact of ‘mortality’; making it sound humorous and routine. This novel explores the idea of fate, freewill and illogical nature of human beings. Read more...
Georgetown University Washington, D.C. Oct 1st, 2008 Read more...
Mellat Park // Northern Tehran from brianna olson on Vimeo.
American artist BriAnna Olson started the project "Send Love to Iran" after the 5th anniversary of the attack on the World Trade Center. She stood with a sign that said, "Unconditional Love is Global Security." The project is an attempt to help others see the Islamic Republic of Iran through the eyes of someone like her - a contemporary American artist. Read more...
The United Nations announced in December that world-wide Measles deaths have plummeted by 74 percent worldwide since 2000. The number of people dying from Measles every year has dropped from an estimated 750,000 to 197,000 between 2000 and 2007 mostly due to improvements in routine immunization activities.
The Eastern Mediterranean region (including countries like Afghanistan and Pakistan) has cut measles deaths from 96,000 to 10,000. Hussein Abdel-Razzak Al Gezairy of the UN World Health Organization credits those countries' governments policy changes regarding Measles initiatives. Read more...
Chalk4Peace began in 2008 in Arlington, VA. At the start of the project, the organization was a Sunday sidewalk chalk project for children and was recognized by the Arlington Arts Commission and the Washington D.C. Commission for the Arts and Humanities.
Through the years, Chalk4Peace has expanded through the efforts of hundreds of volunteers including teachers, parents, and community outreach coordinators. On July 16, 2005 Chalk4Peace made the move to expand the project to the rest of the world. Read more...
There are several reasons to worry about your health nowadays. Concerns have been raised over the quality of America’s food supply. Some people feel that our food supply is vulnerable due to the use of chemical fertilizers as well as pesticide, herbicide and fungicide sprays. There are others who worry that our soil has been depleted of nutrients and our food doesn’t contain all the vitamins and minerals it should.
Another reason people worry about their health is because of prescription medications. Some folks believe they are being over-prescribed and are actually doing the body more harm than good. One reason for concern is the potential these drugs have for side effects and interactions with other prescriptions drugs, as well as supplements. Also, it’s no secret the over-use of antibiotics is raising fear over the creation of “superbugs”, or bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics. Read more...
With gas shortages and global warming at the center of the evening news, many are searching for an easy way to save energy while also saving money. One by one, major metropolitan areas around the world have begun to place a stronger emphasis on alternative transportation as a means of reducing carbon emissions and congestion. Just recently the U.S. government even went so far as to acknowledge bicycle commuters as worthy of tax relief in a similar way that drivers are. Incentives, such as new bike lanes and congestion charges, such as those instituted by London, Stockholm, and Singapore, have set the stage for a change in the way the world travels and commutes. The century old bicycle is set to revisit its roots as a transportation vehicle. Or is it?
Simply jumping on a bike and pedaling off to work can be a far reach for many Americans as long distances, adverse road conditions, and bad weather can all get in the way, let alone asking that people give up the comfort of their car. Read more...
Anshul Tewari cites March 2008 as the time he realized something had to be done to create awareness about the degradation of Indian society. That's also when he started blogging about issues of national and international importance.
Now, less than a year later Tewari has a dedicated team of individuals working together towards creating awareness and inspiring youth of all ages to participate in national re-building. Read more...
A Kansas State University study found that gardening can benefit the health of the elderly just as much as other fitness regimes. The study followed 14 gardeners between the ages of 63 and 86 years of age and reported an average of 33 hours of gardening a week in May and 15 hours each week in June and July.
The study found gardening helps elderly people meet the recommended 30 minutes of moderate physical activity a day through the gardening process: weeding, cultivating, watering, trimming, etc. Read more...
Karen Fiala is a futurist and George Fiala is a retired economist. Together they believe that the old system man has been using on the Earth is no longer useful or right, and there has to be a better way to exist. Therefore they Founded AlterQuest as a platform for people all over the world to come together and discuss, as well as implement, amazing new methods which are fair and just and will allow humanity to progress into the 21st century and beyond.
For the last fifteen years they have been gathering ideas and workable concepts from individuals and groups all around the globe and they wish to share these with any people, communities or governments who will listen. Read more...
Californians are big believers in the American dream, and for generations, California has been the home of new ideas and new inventions. Read more...
Freshbrain.org is a beta release of a website aimed at high school students with the goal of giving them the opportunity to learn by doing. The website provides tools and ideas for students to learn new skills and gain experience and grow creatively in an online environment.
The creators of the website say that because technology is evolving so quickly, it is difficult for public school systems to keep up and provide a solid education in that area. Therefore, students are not educated properly in this area and may not be encouraged to "explore, engage and create." FreshBrain wants to fill that gap. Read more...
The Food Chain is a UK based organization that provides help (including diet and nutritional service) to those suffering from chronic illnesses as a result of HIV related illness.
Recently, the organization won Optimist World's Charity Christmas Competition 2008 for their work during the holiday season. Read more...
Faced with global issues such as poverty, genocide, climate change, financial collapse, greed, and corruption, it's easy to feel powerless. We want to do good and change the world, but too often feel paralyzed by the fear that individuals can't make significant impact. ZenBiz Radio with Allan Holender is a new kind of talk radio for good! ZenBiz Radio is a media project about making a difference : Inspiring interviews with "zentrepreneurs" who are creating a new world of business for good! Zentrepreneurism is a wake-up call, a call to action, to change, to re-invent and to harness each and every person's unique ability to help build a better world for business.
ZenBiz Radio is an engaging, informative, and empowering radio show with interviews and conversations with zentrepreneurs from around the globe, some well-known and others less so, who have been inspired to do their part to effect meaningful social change. These notable advocates, activists, and social entrepreneurs share the causes they are passionate about and give advice on what each of us can do to positively impact our employees, communities, and those of others around the world. Read more...
You've gotten the memo that red wine is good for you, right? When consumed in moderation, wine contains antioxidants that are beneficial to good health. They're known to prevent high cholesterol..and maybe even diseases like cancer.
Instead of getting a little tipsy on one or two glasses of red wine a day, you can check out Embodi. Emodi is "Specially designed to give you all the benefits of red wine without the alcohol." Their website says, "All natural Embodi is the only healthy drink to take advantage of the full antioxidant power of the red wine grape." They say their product is perfect for those who want to get more out of life. Read more...
Huey Johnson, founder and president of the Resource Renewal Institute (RRI) - a nonprofit organization that incubates ideas and practices for environmental sustainability - compliments the Dutch system of environmental regulation, recommending elements of their plan to the U.S. Johnson finds the Dutch system exemplary, from the "passion" of protesters to the amount of power given to NGOs. Read more...
Bestselling author and editor David Cohen presents What Matters: The World's Preeminent Photojournalists and Thinkers Depict Essential Issues of Our Time
ARK is a new line of clothing fresh from Northern Ireland. It was created by an 18-year-old boy with the idea of inspiring people who wear the clothes to be kind to others each time they wear the brand...to commit one "Act of Random Kindness".
The ARK website unassumingly states, "So I have this idea. I'd love you to join me in it. I've started a clothing line with a purpose other than profit. The name, the movement, is ARK - Acts of Random Kindness." Cameron suggests the following ways to help someone while you're wearing an article of ARK clothing: "by someone a coffee, give up your seat on the bus, help a drunk home." Read more...
Last year I released my movie "Soy Adina" about two women raised in different worlds - an immigrant folk dancer from the Andes, and a modern dancer from Queens, NY - who return to Peru to reconnect with their roots through a astonishing world of traditional dance and celebration.
Last week I made my own reconnecting journey, from New York to Vermont to visit old friends Chandra and Erich. One freezing day we went to the Putney food coop, where I met Ode editor Carol Greenhouse who told me about this exchange forum! I think Ode readers will relate and enjoy Soy Andina. Read more...
Greetings and blessings for the New Year! We all live in times of concern, need and potential. At this time of year many are inspired to seek deeper levels of meaning and purpose within their life experience; we look for a quality of resilience that will allow us to elevate our present life experience to greater levels of possibility and potential in the expression of Who We Are.
As part of the celebration of the upcoming potential and possibility that lies within the expression of the coming New Year and every present moment, I’d like to share with you my most recent work: Soulananda: The essentials of a good life. Read more...
You must be a registered user to post to the Exchange. If you are already registered Click here to login or Click here for our fast, free registration.