All People Making a Difference
'Barefoot surveyors' flag needs in world's slums: A key to urban development?The surveyors use mobile phones to map and document the slums' demographic data. Their work has paved the way for new partnerships between local governments and community-based groups.
Get out the vote: eight posters encouraging people to cast ballotsNearly half of voters sat out the 2012 presidential election. In hopes of changing that trend, graphic designers across the country are creating works with a message.
Difference MakerHe hadn鈥檛 driven much 鈥� but began a car-sharing project for tsunami survivorsTakehiko Yoshizawa鈥檚聽Japan Car Sharing Association has aided residents since the 2011 tsunami. The effort expanded this year after twin earthquakes in southern Japan.
Which country's people are most generous to strangers? Iraq, survey finds.More than half of people in 140 countries surveyed had helped strangers聽鈥� with many of the most generous in countries hit by disaster and war.
More and more, cities opt for innovative temporary uses of vacant spacesRecognizing the benefits for users and owners, government agencies and developers are making it easier for real estate to become available for temporary use. Fremantle, Australia, is a case in point.
In Illinois, one girl's mission to collect Halloween costumes for charitySusana Martin and her mother say they've given away about 800 character ensembles over the past three years or so. 'I just think it's good to help people,' Susana says.
Difference MakerHow Haidar el Ali became one of Africa鈥檚 best-known environmentalistsHaidar el Ali started out in his family鈥檚 furniture business but then dedicated his life to protecting the oceans and other habitats.
Difference MakerIn Afghanistan, 鈥楳other鈥� has her own approach to helping drug addictsLaila Haidari founded a shelter in Kabul to help those struggling with addiction. Some 3,600 people, she says, have left the facility recovered.
Protecting mangroves, Kenya's fishermen net cash 鈥� and more fishA coastal Kenyan community has earned $30,000 in two years selling carbon credits from the mangroves they protect. Mangrove forests are particularly effective at absorbing carbon dioxide.
Is making STEM social one way to get more children interested?A research team at the University of Washington ran an experiment to see if putting STEM-related tasks in a group setting affected children's motivation.
Difference MakerShe takes an eco-friendly approach to helping homeless peopleKathleen 鈥楥ass鈥� Cronan was a lawyer but found her work had limits. Now, as head of EarthLinks, she invites marginalized people to join a community that has an environmental focus.
Once a newcomer, she now helps others apply for US citizenshipBonnie Chang, who came from Taiwan, spent three decades in the computer technology industry. Within a month of retiring, she got a phone call that led to a new opportunity.
Digital soil mapping project gives Ethiopian farmers new fertilizersThe nationwide survey of soil conditions is leading to more effective use of fertilizers and could boost food security.
One man's idea for a Little Free Library 鈥� using newspaper dispensersBob Shipley had been volunteering as a mentor in an adult literacy program, but he wanted to do more to encourage reading. The Albuquerque Journal helped him out.
A bid to close the diversity gap in young adult literatureA new partnership will distribute multicultural books to low-income kids and give a boost to an author of color.
Difference MakerHis mission to fix leaky taps has saved millions of gallons of waterAabid Surti was irked when he saw water wasted by dripping taps. Now he鈥檚 visited 13,000 homes in the suburbs of Mumbai to fix leaks.
'Kung fu' nuns bike Himalayas to oppose human traffickingFive hundred nuns from the Buddhist sect known as the Drukpa Order took part in a bicycle trek to raise awareness about trafficking. The nuns' activities have also made people think twice about gender roles.
He has a vision for dealing with tough issues facing black men and boysCory Greene's experience in prison was integral to him cofounding H.O.L.L.A! in New York. For his work, he was named a 2016 fellow by Echoing Green, a nonprofit that supports social entrepreneurs.
With the Andy Reading Fund, a college freshman helps rural Chinese studentsWhen Andy (Yuhan) Wang visited a school in rural China, he saw how difficult getting an education can be. His nonprofit provides books and supplies to rural Chinese students.
How pollen could be the next big thing in forensic investigationsPollen is an ideal 'biomarker' for linking people and objects to particular places and times. And researchers have recently developed a new technique for identifying pollen, using genetics.