All People Making a Difference
African farmers grow trees as a natural crop fertilizerIn Africa, planting trees along with corn in soil that is low in nitrogen can substantially increase corn production without expensive fertilizers. In a decade, the number of small farmers using Fertilizer Tree Systems has ballooned from a few hundred to more than 250,000.
Mama Hope uses humor to change the West's view of AfricaNonprofit Mama Hope has released three videos that employ humor to create new perceptions of Africa and to show that it is full of capable people with the potential to support themselves. The aim is to create a new conversation about the continent and humanize the people who live there.
Difference MakerAn engineering mom leads effort to save an old-growth Russian forestYevgenia Chirikova found out a national forest was quietly being sold off. What she did to try to save it may change Russia forever.
A Kenyan woman stands up against a massive dam projectIkal Angelei is helping lead a campaign to stop construction of the Gibe III dam in Ethiopia that threatens the water supply and way of life of tens of thousands of indigenous people.
Looking for a few good boomers to help othersRetiring baby boomers are proving to be valuable volunteers. 'A part of paying for our spot on earth is to help those who need help,' says one.
Transition Towns moves communities beyond sustainability to resiliencyThe 320 Transition Town initiatives in 14 countries focus on urban agriculture, crowdfunding, and other social enterprises, using a 12-step model to organize a community toward a sustainable, resilient future.
Actor-activist Sean Penn says he's in Haiti for the long haulSean Penn's role in Haiti has evolved from heading a band of volunteers and serving as unofficial mayor of a homeless camp to becoming ambassador-at-large for President Michel Martelly, the first non-Haitian to receive the designation.
Catherine Rohr helps ex-cons return to society by learning to start businessesFormer venture capitalist Catherine Rohr founded the nonprofit Defy Ventures to train ex-prisoners in the ethical and other demands of becoming legitimate entrepreneurs.
Bakery charity feeds North Korean childrenLove North Korean Children has built four community bakeries with the humble intention of providing 5,000-plus youngsters with one steamed bun per day.
'One Day on Earth' captures the variety of human experienceKyle Ruddick and Brandon Litman got some 19,000 people to make videos of what they saw on a single day in every country in the world. The film 'One Day on Earth' shows what they found.
Karen Armstrong argues for practical compassionThe historian has helped world religions unite behind the idea of a worldwide charter for compassion. Can it become more than just a nice idea?
Obamas gave 22 percent of their 2011 income to charityThe biggest Obama charitable gift went to the Fisher House Foundation, a group that provides free or low-cost housing to military personnel or their families while they receive medical treatment.
Difference MakerMa Jun helps Chinese find out who's polluting and shame corporations into cleaning up2012 Goldman Environmental Prize winner Ma Jun enlists ordinary Chinese to help clean up China's pollution.
Shakira advocates for children at the Summit of the AmericasShakira will meet with heads of state, including President Obama, at the Summit of the Americas in Colombia. Shakira is already working to provide better education to children.
'Harry Potter' and 'The Hunger Games' fans urged to do goodMovies can inspire social action, says Andrew Slack, head of the Harry Potter Alliance. He challenges fans to 'fight injustices in our world the way [Harry Potter] fought injustices in his world.'
Three ways Africans are making cheap do-it-yourself electricityIn countries like Kenya and Tanzania, most people lack access to electricity. Wind turbines made from local scrap and a 'Netflix' model for distributing batteries may be solutions.
Young entrepreneurs do good - and make a profitYoung entrepreneurs find new ways to drive social change through founding businesses.
GoodGuide and others use technology to help turn consumers greenA host of companies and nonprofits are using technology 鈥� from smartphones to social networking 鈥� to make it easier for consumers to choose environmentally friendly products.
Difference MakerSeventh grader steers bus to safety in WashingtonWhen his school bus driver collapsed, 13-year-old Jeremy Wuitschick grabbed the steering wheel and pulled the keys from the ignition.- Difference MakerJon Wilson helps victims talk with perpetrators - and find closureWhen victims go behind bars to talk with those who did them harm, they receive something the legal system doesn't provide: a chance to find real closure, maybe even forgiveness.
