All Perspectives
Readers RespondReaders write: Getting beyond shocking news headlinesLetters to the editor for the June 6, 2022 weekly magazine. Readers discuss what make the Monitor different and why flight shame isn't helpful for everyone.聽
When faced with hate, Rabbi Litvin educatesWhen an antisemitic slur cut through the night,聽Rabbi Litvin might have been forgiven for responding with a rebuke. Instead he opened a dialogue.
Points of ProgressGreen energy from sewage, and furniture from plastic wasteProgress roundup: An Oregon county funds cogeneration water plant, Dutch open-source nonprofit helps refugees make new plastics from old, and more.
Is there a middle ground on abortion?In reality, Americans鈥� views on abortion are complex. A majority support federally guaranteed access 鈥� but with limits.
Difference MakerMeet the volunteers maintaining the Appalachian TrailDedication. Love. Humility. Those are just a few of the qualities volunteers who maintain the Appalachian Trail bring to the paths year after year.聽
Points of ProgressFault, justice, and firsts in court, nature, and the newsroomIn our progress roundup: no-fault divorce spreads in the U.K., data on exonerations aids advocates, Nepal and British Columbia preserve species, and more.
What is the point of a city?When white-collar workers are increasingly untethered to the office, cities need to be more than skyscrapers. They need to be livable.
Laughing Bear Bakery has a recipe for a fresh start out of prisonHiring at Laughing Bear Bakery is aimed at those with a criminal record 鈥� it鈥檚 a place to give them skills and the space to start anew without stigma.
Points of ProgressOcean surprises: Get out your microscope and headphonesIn our progress roundup, scientists used sound to confirm a healthy coral reef, found two new phytoplankton, and tested an anti-malaria mosquito net.
Help for Ukrainian refugees, from Russians鈥淧eople hear my accent immediately,鈥� says Anastasia Chukovskaya. 鈥淭here鈥檚 a pause when they hear I was born in Moscow.鈥�
Points of ProgressSmall towns, big change: How Sardinians and Colombians shook things upIn our progress roundup, communities around the globe improved the lives of their own residents. But the positive impact of their self-improvement often reaches beyond.
Difference MakerGame changer: How Sam Wasser became the ivory detectiveSam Wasser developed forensics to link poaching to perpetrators, and a new center brings together scientists and governments to expand the work.
Points of ProgressTrees for a desert and fish for a sea: Repairs from Oaxaca to Abu DhabiProgress roundup: deliberate care, slow handiwork, and patience are improving environments on land, in the water, and in cities.
Food, clothing, shelter, and ... booksFor Maria Deskur, CEO of Poland鈥檚 Universal Reading Foundation, giving books to Ukrainian refugee children an urgent priority.
Difference MakerHelping homeless moms 鈥榞et their shot鈥� at opportunity and educationHomeless mothers聽get life-changing emotional, financial, and professional mentoring 鈥� not just money 鈥� from the Hearts of Gold nonprofit program.
Points of ProgressFrom Zambia to Wales, the people power of bikes and wind turbinesProgress roundup: A nonprofit that gives away bikes in rural areas and a consumer-owned wind farm are highlights this week.
Meet the nurdle hunter combing the beach for hidden pollutionMark McReynolds鈥� nurdle hunters scour the sands for a tiny pollutant most beachgoers don鈥檛 even know exists.
Readers RespondReaders write: What about the other wars?Letters聽to the editor for the April 25 & May 22, 2022 weekly magazine. Readers underline the need for optimism and call attention to聽 war in Ethiopia.聽
Points of ProgressThe power of steel, bamboo, and the game of chessProgress roundup: Bangladeshi architect designs a modular home for climate resiliency, and a Nigerian entrepreneur encourages kids to stay in school.
Difference MakerSponsor Circle opens hearts and homes to Afghan refugeesAfghan refugees are finding their resilience bolstered by one-on-one relationships that nurture transitions to life in the U.S.聽after upheaval.
