All Perspectives
From the EditorsTo each his own nicheMass-market campaigning is as passe as mass-market retailing.聽Politicians and pollsters increasingly slice and dice the electorate into demographic niches and tailor their messages to narrow groups of voters. Who are the 'soccer moms' of 2012?
An Olympic 'truce' on the tough streets of East LondonYoung people in a rough London borough use peacebuilding techniques to curb local violence.
Sharing local knowledge helps farmers succeedFive groups highlight how farmers can share their problems and solutions with each other and policymakers around the world.
Clean biogas improves life in rural VietnamThousands of small biogas plants turn manure from farm animals into a useful resource.
University of the People offers low-cost college courses via the InternetUniversity of the People has enrolled 1,500 students from 132 countries. Courses are taught online by professors from around the world who volunteer their time.
Frugal innovation: the lessons of India's 'jugaad'Corporations may be able to learn from developing-world entrepreneurs, who emphasize frugality, flexibility, and simplicity in designing products.
From the EditorsWomen warriors: How close to combat?Women in the US military have been unofficially on the front lines in Afghanistan and Iraq. Now they are looking to formalize their role.聽
Women bring a new approach to philanthropyFemale-headed households are more likely to give to charity than male-headed households, and women are creating their own styles of giving.
Schwarzenegger still a man of (environmental) actionThe former California governor and action film star has founded R20 Regions of Climate Action. It teams local and state governments, and other partners, to find ways to become energy efficient in economically viable ways.
Seeing 'vacant' lots as a community assetIn many neighborhoods people are turning vacant lots into parks, gardens, playgrounds, and more.- Readers RespondReaders Write: America's class divide is really an information gapLetters to the Editor for the weekly print issue of July 9, 2012:聽Information capital 鈥� the power to think and use information creatively 鈥� evolves over time as the product of a person's experiences with words and concepts. Poor children have less chance of developing it than their richer peers.
A 10-year-old urges restaurants to 'be straw free'Ten-year-old Milo Cress has started BeStrawFree, a website that encourages restaurants to cut plastic waste by not automatically offering plastic straws to customers.- Difference MakerSon of an anti-Nazi hero uses family estate to nurture democracy and rule of lawHelmuth Caspar von Moltke, son of an anti-Nazi hero, uses the family estate in Poland to teach teenagers about democracy and protecting human rights.
Three families pledge to raise $30 million in aid for US veteransThree affluent families have donated more than $1 million to help US veterans groups and plan to seek contributions from other wealthy people.
Biogas project helps Kenyan school save money, and treesA school in Kenya uses biogas from human waste for fuel, saving money and trees, and reducing carbon-dioxide emissions from burning wood.- Readers RespondReaders Write: The dangers of big banks and second-hand marijuana smokeLetters to the Editor for the weekly print issue of July 2, 2012: When power is concentrated 鈥� as in big banks like Jamie Dimon's JPMorgan Chase 鈥� expect some tyranny.聽Marijuana is an insidious drug, more harmful than many have been led to believe.
Turning to old crop varieties for tough timesA new project led by Bioversity International reconnects farmers with older crop varieties developed over millennia 鈥� but never bred by scientists 鈥� that may help them adapt to changing climate conditions.
Difference MakerWalter Dean Myers writes books troubled teens can relate toJuvenile book author Walter Dean Myers writes stories troubled teens can identify with. He knows their world because he once was one of them.
鈥楻andom Hacks of Kindness鈥� uses technology to solve problemsAt 'Random Hacks of Kindness' events, technology experts volunteer to solve problems facing nonprofits and other organizations interested in doing good.- Readers RespondLetter to the Editor: UN mission in Haiti is not 'all about scandal'Mariano Fern谩ndez Amun谩tegui, special representative of the United Nations Secretary-General in Haiti, defends the work of the UN mission (MINUSTAH) there.
